Ties of Blood

by D. W. Jackson

  “You’re the prince?” Brenda said as she plopped down in a seat next to William.

  “That I am miss. I am sorry to say that I was unable to catch your name last night. Would you care to grace me with it?” William said elegantly as if he was addressing someone of equal rank.

  Brenda blushed brightly and looked down at the table. “My name is Brenda.” She replied meekly.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you Brenda and I hope that we may become better acquainted on our ride to Copperstone.”

  Brenda gave the prince a sad smile. “You’re a lot different than I thought you would be. My daddy always said that you were more fit to be a washerwoman than a king, so I thought you would look like an old lady.”

  Eloen was stuck between horror and amusement at Brenda’s harsh words. The prince on the other hand just laughed. “Your father said that did he. I fear he might be right. I was never interested in the throne when I was younger. All I wanted to do was enjoy a peaceful life, but we don’t always get what we want and sometimes the jobs most ill-suited for us are the ones we are stuck with. My role is to lead this kingdom if I want to or not. All I can do is try and make sure the country heads in the right path, and my people are taken care of and I promise you I shall do everything to ensure that.”

  As the prince spoke his words were strong and sincere. It was the first time Eloen heard the man speak with conviction. He might be manipulative and dodgy at time but it at least looked like his heart was for his people. Eloen wasn’t sure why but she didn’t like the prince, but at least she could respect the part of him that wished the best for his people. He also seemed at home among the lower rungs of his people, and as much as she didn’t want to admit it that alone spoke wonders of the man’s character.

  “William I must admit to a mild bit of curiosity.” Eloen said her eyes locked on the prince’s own sad blue orbs.

  “Curiosity, yes I believe that little devil catches us all from time to time. What has peeked your interest as of late my dear captain.” The prince said as he handed Brenda a silver coin and asked her to go order breakfast for five.

  Eloen watched as Brenda rushed off to find a waitress in the near empty inn. Once she was out of sight Eloen turned her attention back to the prince. “You’re a man of unique qualities William. You stay relaxed during tense situations. Your eyes are always searching for an advantage, and you seem at home no matter where you are. You seem intelligent far more so than you act sometimes. You know there is little chance that you can claim the throne in Abla. I don’t mean to sound harsh but you do not seem to be the kind of person an Ablaian soldier would stand behind.”

  The prince nodded his head. “That’s true and I was hoping to get your help in that matter. Ablaian’s will follow the strongest leader. I am great at dealing with matters but I am almost worthless in a fight. My fellow countrymen will see this as a weakness. Why would they put someone on the throne that could not lead the charge in the time of need? That is where I need you.”

  “I don’t think I understand.” Eloen said slightly confused.

  “Before I can raise an army I need someone that the soldiers can look toward as an example. After I take the throne I will need a bridge to Farlan so that I can help reduce some of the animosity between our countries and also help our dying economical structure. You would be the answer to both.” The prince went silent and looked at Eloen with pleading eyes. “I have talked at great length with your companions and I know the young man you were here to save was your lover. I am greatly sorry to that end. After learning that knowledge I had hoped to get to know you better on our trip to Copperstone but it seems if I don’t come clean there is little chance of that. The truth is I hope to take you as my bride so that the country will see a future with a strong queen, one that could solve many of the problems we are facing. You would be our hope to a time when we no longer have to struggle to simply survive.”

  Eloen’s mind began to swirl. It made sense she had to admit but the only man she had considered marrying at all had been Thad. In Farlan marriage had nearly disappeared among the nobility. The most important thing was she had no feelings of love for the prince. She searched herself hard and she couldn’t find even an echo of anything for the man who sat in front of her. “It sounds like a good idea but we don’t love each other and I doubt those feelings would ever develop.”

  William gave her a sad smile. “That I understand all too well. I am not the kind of man a woman such as yourself could love but nobles seldom marry for love. It is a convention of political nature. The only thing I would ask is that the first born be of my blood after that I will leave you to your own dalliances. You need not answer now but I ask that you think of it as we make our way to Copperstone.”

  “I will agree to consider the option.” Was all Eloen could seem to force from her mouth. Her heart was screaming that she should only marry for love but her head argued all the good she could do. Ever since arriving in Abla she had seen the devastation that the tariffs on the country had caused. She was not the closest person to the queen but it there was any chance she could ease some of the problems she had witnessed shouldn’t she do it? The question bothered her immensely and she knew it wasn’t something she should or could decide on quickly. She hoped the long ride to Copperstone would give her ample time to think over everything.

  Brenda rushed back and jumped onto Eloen hanging on her from the back. She was light but still heavy enough so that her hands clasped together slightly choked Eloen. Coughing slightly Eloen dislodged Brenda and pulled her around to sit in her lap. Brenda looked up from her seat and gave Eloen a big toothy smile. The thoughts that had had Eloen worked up a few moments ago drifted away as she looked down at Brenda.

  A short while after the food arrived Ballard and Darryl walked over to their table. Well walked was a bit of a stretch Darryl walked Ballard seemed to shuffle more than anything. As soon as Brenda caught sight of Darryl she hopped off of Eloen’s lap and rushed over to the thin warrior. “Uncle Darryl let’s play.” She screeched so loudly Ballard held his head and looked as if he was about to pass out.

  “We can’t right now spitfire we have to eat then get ready to leave. We have a long trip ahead of us so I hope you enjoy sitting in a saddle.” Darryl said as he thumped the girl lightly on the head with the tip of his knuckles.

  “I get to ride a horse?” Brenda screeched loudly in glee as she rubbed the top of her head lightly where Darryl had tapped her.

  Darryl put on a pensive look and knelt down so he was the same height as Brenda. “You don’t have to. You could always ride with the prince in the coach.”

  Brenda shook her head vigorously. “No I wanna ride a horse. I never got to ride one before. Can I pick out my own horse? I want a pretty white one.” Brenda rattled off so quickly Eloen was amazed she didn’t bite her own tongue.

  “I don’t know Brenda. I don’t have the extra gold to buy you a new horse.” Eloen said to the now dismayed child.

  William looked between Eloen and Brenda and smiled slightly. “We can’t have that now can we? When we go to the stable master we will just add one more horse to the lot. We already have to get a coach and horses to pull it I don’t think one more horse will stretch my budget too far.” The prince replied casually.

  Before the prince could even finish his sentence Brenda was jumping up and down in small circles clapping her hands with a large smile on her face. “Thank you, thank you.” Brenda squeaked as she ran over giving the prince a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

  Eloen motioned for Brenda to come over o where she sat and the little girl obeyed and skipped over to where she was. “Remember to be careful of men who come bearing gifts. Don’t want to think he can just buy your friendship, right?” Eloen said more than loud enough for everyone to hear.

  Brenda looked at Eloen and tilted her head slightly to the side. “Right.” Turning back to the prince Brenda put her hands on her hips and looked at the young man square in the eyes. “You can�
��t buy us, but I still want the horse, ok.” Brenda declared loudly getting a round of laughs out of everyone including the prince. Eloen laughed so hard tears streamed out of her eyes.

  William put on his best defensive face though it wasn’t very convincing since he too was laughing. “I would never try such a thing. It is simply that a lovely girl as yourself should be able to pick out her own wonderful steed.”

  “Good.” Brenda said before running up and giving the prince another hug before running back to where Darryl sat so that she could begin harassing the man. Looking at the two objectively it looked like two siblings fighting. It was heartwarming to see the two getting along so well.

  After the meal the five headed straight for the fort stable grounds. There was a large assortment of horses though none of them looked as if they were fit for a child. After a quick talk with the stable master they were lead to the back of the stable where six smaller horses were corralled. “We use these to train some of the kids of the solders to ride. They’re well trained and I give you my word they’re all gentle as can be.

  To Brenda’s disappointment there were no white horses so she settled on a light brown filly. “I want that one. He looks like a cup of coco.” Brenda said with a smile.

  As soon as they found a saddle for Brenda and the coach was ready they were ready to leave the only problem was who would drive the coach. That question was solved when two soldiers arrived to work as the prince’s guards and driver. Eloen didn’t like the idea of having Ablaian’s soldiers with them but there was little she could say against the fact.

  Eloen blew a sigh of relief once they were out of town. It had been nice to sleep in a bed for a few days but the town itself was depressing with everything looking the same. Military or not there had to be room for some diversity.

  Brenda lasted a lot longer than Eloen figured on her first ride but after a few hours she was ready to get out of the saddle and into the coach. “You’re walking like you got two left feet Spitfire, What happened?” Darryl teased Brenda as she walked toward the coach. She didn’t say anything in response just rubbed her hind end and stuck her tongue out at Darryl.

  Brenda’s horse was tied to the back of the carriage along with the prince’s. Just as the stable master had said Coco was well behaved and gave them no trouble and followed behind the coach without complaint.

  Watching Brenda get into the coach Eloen thought once again about William’s proposal. If it was a perfect world she and Thad would be back at her Aunt’s preparing for their marriage but that was no longer an option. If only the prince was more like Thad, even just a little would help. She had always liked the innocence that Thad displayed. There never seemed to be a hidden meaning to his actions. The prince was the complete opposite. Everything the man did seemed like it has a second or third meaning to it. It was as if he treated life like a game and he was always thinking what would be the best for the future.

  Simply thinking about it wouldn’t get her anywhere and she had promised the prince to give his offer a chance. If she was going to keep that promise the first thing she would have to do was get to know the man better. Slipping off of her own horse she tied it next to Brenda’s and walked up to where the cart still sat.

  When she opened the door she found Brenda and the prince sitting across from each other talking. They both looked over to her and gave her conniving smiles. “Look who we have here, I did not think that we would be so lucky as to be graced by your presence.” William said as he scooted over to allow her to sit. She bowed her head to thank him but took her seat next to Brenda.

  “William while we ride would you mind telling me more about Abla?” Eloen asked in a businesslike manner.

  “It would be my pleasure captain.”

  CHAPTER XVII

  After three days on the road they came to the first village. It wasn’t very large but it did have an inn though it was in disrepair. No matter if it was simply four walls with straw on the ground Eloen would have been happy for some time away from the Prince and the others. Every time she got a chance the prince would talk to her and as soon as he was gone Ballard and Darryl would make every comment they could think of to tease her about the interactions. To make matters worse Brenda was growing close to the young prince and though she hated to admit it the prince seemed as if he would make a good father. That fact hit her hard as Eloen herself had never known who her father was and had always longed for that interaction.

  Less than two seasons ago she was a simple soldier with no aims at having a family and now here she was with a daughter and possible husband. It didn’t happen the way she had dreamed growing up but it had happened none the less. Brenda was a problem all her own as she reminded Eloen of herself as a child. Stubborn as a mule with a flair to get herself in trouble, though from what she had heard that was the same with all children.

  Even at the inn it was impossible to be completely alone as she had to share a room with Brenda. The little girl was a delight most of the time but Eloen still liked to enjoy time to just think and relax and that was not going to happen with an energetic eight year old running around. Thanks to Darryl and the prince taking her shopping she was getting at least a few moments of alone time and she was trying to make the most of the time she had.

  Laying down on the lumpy bed Eloen tried to think over everything that had happened ever since she had left Farlan. She had been so worried at first that she hadn’t had time to enjoy any of the trip most of it seemed like a blur to her as if she was moving through it in a dream. She had met some good people and those that were not so well tempered. In most respects they were the same kind of people that were in Farlan. Simple people that only wanted to enjoy the lives the best they could. It wasn’t hard to tell the country was in trouble. Most the towns they had come across were in bad shape and the majority of the people were dressed in rags. The food was simple and heavily spiced. She wasn’t sure if the latter was just how they enjoyed it or to cover for the lack of variety they had to offer.

  While she was deep in thought the door to the room swung open hard nearly bouncing itself closed. Eloen jumped from where she lay her hand finding the hilt of her sword. “Mother look what William bought me.” Brenda said as she rushed in the room holding something cradled in her arms.

  Brenda handed Eloen the item she had been holding. It wasn’t something she would have thought to buy the girl. In all honesty it wasn’t something a child her age should have at all unless she was closely watched. In her lap she now held a small short sword at only three foot long. Like most Ablaian blades it was well made though decorated far more than she liked. The hilt was designed to look like wings that were wrapped around it. And at the bottom had a small circle of emeralds. The sheath was made of a shiny black leather that had been meticulously etched with various designs of flying horses. “It’s very nice, but do you know how to use it?” Eloen asked handing the blade back to Brenda.

  “Not yet but Darryl said he would teach me when we had time. I am going to have my first lesson, but……. he said I had to get you to agree to it first.”

  Eloen thought about it for a moment. Part of her didn’t like the idea of Brenda playing around with a sword at her age. She herself hadn’t got her first weapon until she was thirteen. Then again there was a chance she might need to know how defend herself at least. “Sounds good to me, but you make sure you don’t hurt yourself.”

  “I promise I’ll be careful.” Brenda said as she rushed out of the door. Eloen guessed that she was going to find Darryl so that she could tell him the news.

  As soon as the girl was out of sight Eloen turned her eyes to William. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Just because you can get her to like you buy buying her things doesn’t mean I am going to agree to marry you. And while we’re on the subject why the in the nine hells did you buy her a sword?” Eloen asked her anger showing clearly on her face.

  William put his hands up in a defensive manner. “Believe it or not I like Br
enda, she is a good girl, and when she saw that sword I couldn’t make myself turn away when she gave me those big doe eyes. I tell you the boys are in trouble when she grows into her own. She could charm a Rane merchant to just give her his moneybox.”

  Eloen let her anger drop. She had to admit that with her little dimpled smile, long brown hair, and large brown eyes she could be very charming when she wanted to be. “That aside you need to learn to tell her no. If she gets everything she wants handed to her she will never appreciate anything she gets. I swear men don’t understand anything.”

  “I will take that into consideration, but I don’t know if that will be possible. I have always had trouble telling a woman no. If you need to blame someone, blame my mother.” The Prince said giving Eloen a sly wink.

  “Don’t try and play cute with me. Prince or no I’ll drop you on your rear.” Eloen said letting her hand go back to her sword hilt.

  William’s eyes went wide. “Understood captain.” The prince said backing up and laughing. “You should come watch your child start her practice. Darryl said it would be entertaining.”

  “Hell!” Eloen shouted as she jumped up and ran for the door. She forgot that Darryl was a Katanaga and they took training very seriously no matter the age. If the stories were true they were gifted their first weapon when they old enough to hold the weight of a weapon. Her legs carried her down the steps and out the door where she found Darryl standing next to Brenda with a long thin branch. Brenda stood with her sword trying to get her stance right. Each time she shifted her weight Darryl would smack her lightly where she was loosening up. Brenda never complained but listened to Darryl’s orders and doing her best to obey them.

  Eloen let herself relax and took a place sitting on the ground next to Ballard who was enjoying the show. “The girl has good reflexes, give her ten years and she will be a master swordswoman.” Ballard said quietly to Eloen.