Thaddeus had just returned to Galdarath after a successful campaign against the Shadows. It had been a rather long campaign, and he was very happy that he was back in his home land. Upon his return, a feast was held for the entire kingdom of Galdarath. Everyone from each of the cities received an invitation to the celebration. Large surpluses of gold were spent procuring livestock, produce, and drink. The local farmers, butchers, and brewers made a fortune on this one night event.
The feast itself was held in a large clearing just outside of Ravendale, but the festivities carried on throughout the entire kingdom. A long wooden table had been set at the back of the clearing where Thaddeus, Sebastian Buxton, and a few royal guards sat at the table. A never ending supply of food and drink came their way. No expense was spared on the entertainment either. Bards were strewed throughout the clearing, singing of King Thaddeus’s victory. Royal fools were running through the crowds performing their most popular routines. These were just a few of the entertainers present at the feast. Acrobats, swordsmen, trick shots, and dancers had also come out for this most joyous event.
The night lingered on and Thaddeus had begun to mingle with Galdarath's citizens. The people loved him for this. He was one of the only kings in the history of Galdarath who would come speak with the common folk. On this night, it seemed that he was introduced to every single citizen of Galdarath.
“Thaddeus, I do believe it is far past time for you to find yourself a queen,” Sebastian said as they walked through the crowd. “You have not taken any time to enjoy the benefits of being King since you took the throne.”
Thaddeus smiled and said, “Sebastian, I have more important things to worry about right now. Besides, I am a young man. I have my entire life ahead of me to find a queen.”
“What important things do you have to worry about?” Sebastian asked.
“For starters, I have to make sure I do not run my kingdom into the ground,” he replied.
“All the more reason to find yourself a queen.” Sebastian took him by the shoulder and stopped him. He pointed over to a very beautiful blonde headed girl and said, “There! Her name is Cassandra. She is the daughter of Lord Finnigan of Causperias. Tell me she is not a beauty.”
Thaddeus looked at her carefully and said, “Yes, she is beautiful,” and began walking once more.
“Be reasonable, Thaddeus. If you do not take a woman to marry, at least take one to bed,” Sebastian said as he slipped his arm around Thaddeus's neck, pulling him close. With a big grin, Sebastian added, "Or two."
“Sebastian, you know my family and their stance on such things. I am to be a gentleman. I am to save myself for my queen,” he replied.
“Let us hope that there is a lady in the kingdom who has saved herself for you,” Sebastian said under his breath as they continued on.
“I heard that,” Thaddeus said with a laugh.
Suddenly, Thaddeus heard the faint cry of a woman over the music and laughter. Thaddeus looked over to the edge of the clearing when he saw that five men had formed a circle around a young woman. They were taunting her, pushing her back and forth between them, and making some very distasteful comments.
“Do you see that, Sebastian?” he asked.
“Yes, just some of the town’s folk having a little fun,” he calmly replied.
“It does not look like she is having fun,” Thaddeus said as he started to walk toward the commotion. “No one is even trying to stop it. Fifty men stand by and turn a blind eye.”
“Thaddeus, this is common behavior. Come, let us rejoin the feast,” Sebastian said as he motioned for Thaddeus to come with him, but it was too late. The King was marching over to the woman and the five miscreants. “Here we go,” Sebastian said as he followed after the King.
“You be a right pretty little girl,” a yellow toothed man said as he pushed the young girl over to his friend.
“You are so pretty. I think I will take you home with me,” said the other man.
The girl whirled around and slapped the man hard across the face. He grabbed her by the wrist, raised his other hand to hit her and said, “Why you little-,” but his words were cut short as a large hand wrapped around his forearm.
Thaddeus swung his free arm and landed his large knuckles square on the man’s chin. The man collapsed to the ground. The other four men charged at him. He grabbed two of them and smashed their heads together. Their knees buckled and they went crashing to the ground. Another man charged blindly at the King but was met by a vicious uppercut that sent him flying through the air. The last man pulled a dagger and was about to attack the King when he stopped dead in his tracks, turning white as a ghost.
“You’re . . . you’re . . . the King!” he exclaimed as he fell to his knees. “My apologies, King Graystone. We were just having a bit of fun.”
Sebastian and two guards came rushing over.
“Take these men and lock them in the dungeon. I will deal with them later,” said Thaddeus.
“Yes, my King,” one of the guards replied as they rounded the five men up and began to march them toward the castle.
The young woman had fallen to the ground during the tussle. Thaddeus walked over to her and held out his hand. She took it and he helped her up to her feet. As soon as she stood, their eyes met and Thaddeus had fallen in love. He softly wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes. I am fine," the girl replied.
"Did they hurt you?" he asked again.
"No. They were just drunk. Please do not be so harsh on them. They are good men, usually," she pleaded.
"I will deal with them accordingly. There is no room for such behavior in my kingdom," Thaddeus replied.
They spent the rest of the night sitting alone at the edge of the clearing. She was the daughter of a local farmer, her name was Emilia. She told the King the only reason she came to the feast was to help her papa deliver his large order of vegetables. A great deal of their time was spent getting to know one another. The more they talked, the deeper in love Thaddeus fell. At the end of the night the King walked Emilia back to her home, just outside of the city. The moon was in full bloom and the pale light almost seemed to make Emilia’s skin glow. They stood at the door to her home, awkwardly, until he broke the silence.
“When can I see you again?” he asked.
“See me again?” Emilia replied with a hint of confusion in her voice.
“Yes. When can I see you again?”
Emilia put her hand to her mouth and gasped. Her face turned red, and she turned around, letting out a girlish giggle. After a few seconds she turned back and said, “Do you want to see me again?”
“Very much so,” Thaddeus said with rosy cheeks of his own. “What if I send a carriage to pick you up tomorrow at sunset? You can come to the castle for dinner.”
Thaddeus noticed that Emilia looked as if she was about to turn and flee, but she nodded her head vigorously and said, “Yes. That would be nice.”
“Very well then, I will see you tomorrow evening,” Thaddeus said excitedly.
She began to giggle and a large grin grew on her face, showing her pearly white teeth.
Thaddeus fell to one knee, bowed his head, and said, “Good night, my lady.”
“Good night,” she replied as she opened the door to her home and disappeared inside.
Thaddeus walked slowly back to the castle. He turned around hoping to catch another glimpse of Emilia. When his eyes focused on the front window of the small ramshackle home, the curtain quickly pulled shut. Thaddeus could see her silhouette behind the curtain. His heart fluttered. He could not believe that Emilia had accepted his dinner invite. This was the happiest he had been since he was a child. He now understood the expression "butterflies in your stomach." Walking back to the castle by the light of the moon, Thaddeus had an extra spring in his step, and a smile that could not be erased.
Locmire's Quest: Book One A Tales from Calencia Novel Page 20