Dinosaur Dreams (Indian Trail's Book 1)

by David Charles Leitner

  Paul leaned in and went to kiss her and she turned her head so that it landed on her cheek. “You know, I have been quite patient with you so far.” came his unspoken threat. “Yes, and I do appreciate it. It’s just that I…need more time before I can make such a lasting commitment.” “Very well, but be assured that I do not intend to wait forever.” the king replied stepping back.

  Sergeant Ambly escorted her back to her room after the two returned from their walk. “He is like a bull among a herd of cows in heat.” She told her friend and then had to translate her meaning.

  “Ah yes. He spends much of his time with his harem.” The solider replied. “Harem?” “Yes.” Ambly said a bit uneasy. “How many whor…females does he retain?” came her question with some edge to it.

  “Perhaps it’s not my place…” “If not my friend then who?” The old solider thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “Last count…twenty six I believe. It is hard to tell as he trades them with castle staff at whim.”

  “I see. So are any of them loyal to him?” “Of course. This is the Western Kingdom where a female only gets ahead using her…behind. Though truth be told, it wasn’t always so.” was his sad reply.

  Closing the door behind him, Alitta changed into her night traveling garb before slipping over the terrace railing and into the darkness. The paleontologist stood waiting in the bushes for fifteen minutes, then climbed back up to the veranda and stood beside the stained glass doors listening.

  A click sounded and she listened to a door open and shut knowing that it couldn’t be her rooms as she had a full view of the entrance.

  Sneaking back into her room, Alitta watched as a shadow stood near her bedside before going over to her Armoire to rifle through it. With muscles tense, the princess dove at the intruder tackling the body onto her bed.

  The two struggled rolling around until Alitta saw the flash of a blade. It caught her on the forearm before she took it away and pressed it to her assailant’s throat ceasing all struggles.

  Opening up the holder of the candle on the table beside the bed, she held it up to look at the others face. It was the pretty dark haired girl from her first luncheon with the king here.

  “I could have you killed you know.” Alitta said coolly watching the girl to see how she would react. “Go ahead and try. He loves me not some over the hill hag like you.” The girl spat back with venom unafraid.

  “You can have him.” the princess remarked after deciding how or what to say to the girl. “I’ve no desire to be with him.” she said honestly.

  “Then you’re a fool. He’s the most powerful man on the planet.” “I only wish to return to my people, but I am kept like a bird in a gilded cage.” Alitta said handing over the dagger.

  “Now, what say you show me how you got in here so that I might leave him all to you once I am able to escape?” The girl nodded and stood to go, then stopped.

  Ripping a piece of her own skirt hem, she wrapped it around Alitta’s arm and then signaled for her to follow. Instead of going to a wall or into the privy, the girl got down on the floor and crawled under the massive wooden bed.

  The paleontologist followed cautiously behind but was happy to see that this wasn’t a trick. To her chagrin a trapdoor sat propped up that had been painted to resemble the stone of the floor.

  Lifting it all the way up, the girl opened a smaller candle illuminating a hidden tunnel. With a smile, her attacker slipped through the opening and waited for Alitta to follow.

  The trapdoor clicked shut softly behind them yet it was still ominous as she just now realized that the girl could easily loose her in these hidden passages or worse.

  Several different tunnels branched off, but true to her word the girl guided her along the straightest route out of the keep. The tunnel ended overlooking the north gardens just above a sitting area with tables and chairs.

  The bricks of the wall in front of them had been picked at so one could kick them out to break free. The dark haired girl then led the princess back to her room before disappearing once more with the false floor locking behind. She would have to get access to the tunnels again if she were to carry out her plans.

  The next few weeks went pretty much the same except that Paul began to make his advances trying to push her along on the path that he had chosen for them. He stood one evening and clapped his hands silencing all those in the Great Hall.

  He began a long speech about history, current progress and future plans for his kingdom. “…and the final key to the ruling line sits before you now.” He said indicating Alitta.

  “With the Princess of our Eastern Tribes union to me, this continent will become once more whole under one ruler ship, Mine. One people to go forward bringing us into every corner of this planet.”

  Applause filled the hall as if some humanitarian had just done something to help all mankind. “Princess?” Paul said holding out his hand.

  She stood up and came around the table as he expected. Taking her hand, he was about to speak when he noticed her arched eyebrow. The professor looked at the floor and then back in the king’s eyes in challenge.

  Bowing his head, the fake king took a knee before her holding her left hand. He slipped a gaudy ring on her finger and asked in a loud voice for her to be his wife promising to be her servant if she would just say yes.

  All those present were astonished to see their king being humble before a female and fell silent to hear her reply. Alitta admired the ring noticing the girl servant eyeing her from across the rom.

  Looking back down at Paul on bended knee, she smiled laying a hand on the side of his face. “I have to be true to my heart. Despite your immense improvement, I must decline your offer of joining in matrimony. I do offer you both my people and my friendship. I look forward to cementing an alliance that is profitable and just for both the Eastern and Western tribes.”

  The king and the entire gathering in the hall remained dumbstruck and silent as Alitta took the ring and put it in his open hand. Excusing herself, the princess left Paul still kneeling calling out to Sergeant Ambly as she strode across the Great Hall that was so quiet one could have heard a mouse pass gas.

  “He’s all yours.” She told the slave girl squeezing her arm as she passed by. The paleontologist had just made the archway before the twin doors when the king exploded in a fit of rage.

  Goblets, plates and guests hit the floor as he tipped over one of the heavy tables in anger. “You Bit#$!” he called after her as his dagger slammed into the great door to her left quivering.

  The princess stopped and turned about to confront her attacker who stood with his face beet red with the promise of death in his eyes. Reaching out, she pulled the dagger free never taking her eyes off the mad king.

  “I’ll accept your gift as partial payment for this insane rudeness that has overtaken you. Your insult to me and my people must be made right if our kingdoms are to remain friends.” She said loud enough for all to hear.

  Turning on her heels, Alitta walked out of the door with her royal escort in tow as more curses and clattering could be heard as the soldiers scurried to catch up.

  “Lock her in the tower!” they could hear the king roar and Alitta stopped as a squad of guards ran to catch up to her and block her retreat.

  “Do not touch me!” she hissed as a guard went to grab her arm. He backed off looking from her to the sergeant unsure of what to do so that he wouldn’t fall into the king’s wrath as well.

  Alitta handed Ambly the dagger but not before she put its point in a torch holder and snapped off its tip. He had to stifle a giggle as he pointed down the hallway and she went as directed with the soldiers in tow.

  “I am truly sorry your Highness.” Her only friend began as he held the door to her room in the keeps tower. “It is not your fault.” She said loud enough to be heard by the others. “I’ll be ok.” She whispered showing him the end of a dagger handle which she had lifted from the other guard.

  His eyes grew wide an
d darted side to side falling on the guard to his left to make sure that none had seen her slip it back up her sleeve. He smiled and bowed before backing out of the doorway. The others followed his lead showing her all the due respect of her station.

  “If you are in need of anything your Majesty, please don’t hesitate to…” “Just let the King know that this little kitten has claws and is prepared to use them.” Alitta told him smiling.

  Ambly held up three fingers indicating that he would get word to the queen and she nodded in response as the door to her cell was closed and locked.

  The professor looked about at her new accommodations wishing that she was back in her previous room with the escape tunnel close by. This room was fifteen feet across with only a single bed and a table with a chamber pot. A small window gave light to her surroundings. A servant came in a few hours with a platter of food.

  The princess could see no less than six guards outside making sure that she did not try to escape and Sergeant Ambly was not among them. The woman curtsied and left Alitta alone with the door closing behind her.

  Falling into a restless sleep, she woke only when the same servant took away the untouched platter of food. Another one was brought the next morning and the princess picked at it as she calculated her chances of escape now.

  When evening came the old woman returned and quickly knelt on the floor as Paul strode in like the cruel feudal ruler that he had become. “I’m told that you are not eating.” “I’m not hungry.” “I’ll not have you wasting away.” “It’s not your decision.” “It is my decision! Everything that goes on in my kingdom only does so because I say so!” he yelled losing his cool once more.

  “It doesn’t look like it from where I am sitting.” Alitta replied coolly. Quick as a serpent, the king launched himself at her pinning the princess to the bed with one hand on his dagger and the other clutching her throat.

  His grip tightened until he began to cut off her air supply. “You only live because I desire you.” He hissed with his eyes bulging out madly. “You’ll eat, be cordial and marry me giving me an heir to the throne.” Paul said shoving her away as he stood up straight.

  Alitta gasped to draw breath as she tried to get the oxygen back into her body that it had been deprived of. When she could finally breathe, the American began to laugh at him only making the King madder.

  “Shut up! Stop laughing! Guards!” he called out and was immediately joined by one of his faithful subjects. “Yes my lord?” “See to it that the Royal Seamstress visits the Princess and takes her measurements for her wedding dress. We will be married two weeks from today.” Paul stated firmly.

  “In your dreams.” Alitta croaked out from the floor where he’d dropped her. She leaned against the bed for support. “You’ll be mine and I’m taking what is mine on our wedding night. Consider it my gift for not doing so before hand.” he spat out with his finger stuck in front of her face.

  Picking up a hunk off meat, he held it out and the female servant took a bite to show that it wasn’t poisoned. “You’ll not get away that easy. You will do as I say or I will start by killing her.” He said throwing the food back on her platter indicating the old woman and then stormed out.

  The guards jumped to get out of his path and then followed closing and locking the door behind them. The princess leaned back against the bed and wept openly unconcerned that the female servant was still in the room.

  The woman helped her up assuring Alitta that the King could be most tender at times. She subdued her sobs eating the food as a plan began to formulate in her mind.

  When the seamstress finally arrived, she shoed everyone away before having Alitta strip down so that she could take precise measurements. A gasp escaped her lips as she saw the pendant and the scar beneath it.

  Falling to her knees and making the sign of the cross, she asked the princess for forgiveness. Already feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious at being nude, she felt more so at having one bow so low before her as if she were a goddess.

  “Please, get up.” she begged and the woman obeyed. She wouldn’t meet Alitta’s eyes until her head with was lifted up with a gentle hand. “What can I do for you my Queen?” the woman asked Alitta humbly.

  “Make me the most elegant wedding dress ever and tell others who still have hope what you have seen.” The servant helped her get dressed keeping her eyes to the ground but shaking her head at all of the bruises on her body.

  “If I may speak bluntly Majesty?” “Of course.” “The king is a cruel man with much hatred and evil in his heart. You do not deserve such an ill fate at his hands.” she said with tears rolling down her cheeks.

  Alitta was greatly moved and took the woman in a close embrace. In her mind’s eye, she saw the chamber and read the words highlighted by themselves that might bring comfort to the distressed woman.

  An electrical charge rippled through her being almost like touching an ungrounded light with wet hands yet it didn’t hurt. The princess embraced the charge focusing it upon the female that she held in her arms. The seamstress gasped but did not move until her queen finally let her go.

  She stood there in shock staring at Alitta unable to speak for several minutes. Then, dropping down to the floor again, she pressing her for head to the stone and she kissed the princess’s feet. “Please, get up.” “You…you have restored to me what the King stole that was not his.” She sobbed touching her loins.

  Bowing her head low, she backed away until she reached the chamber door promising to spread the message. Meanwhile Alitta went back over to the window and stood on a chest so that she could look out at the scenery below. The paleontologist slept uneasily waking with every howl of the wind.

  The next several days went all too quickly and the seamstress returned with her wedding dress to try on. The guards exited the room closing and locking the door from the outside leaving the two woman alone.

  She had just gotten into the tight fitting dress when the doors slammed open and the king stalked in with a wine goblet in one hand and a hunk of meat in the other.

  “It’s bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding.” the princess told him. “Only if you displease me on our wedding night.” Paul retorted. “Now turn.” he ordered indicating with his finger and Alitta obliged.

  “More pearls.” the king told the seamstress. “And make sure that no undergarments are on for the wedding day or I will have your head put on a pike outside of the court.” he threatened the other woman before storming out.

  “It is a lovely dress, thank you.” Alitta complimented running her hands over the top. “Your Majesty…I…” “It’s ok Lonta. I will be ok and you will keep your head.” she promised laying a hand on the woman’s shoulder.

  Looking around, Lonta pulled forth a knife handing it hilt first to the princess. “Lonta?” “Shh…it goes there.” The seamstress said showing her the hidden sheath amongst the frills of the dress. The dagger disappeared and could not be noticeably seen.

  “Thank you. I know the great risk that you have taken for me.” she told Lonta who curtsied then helped her out of the beautiful dress.

  Later that evening, the king barged in once more and this time he was even more inebriated then before. Paul stood looking at her from across the room swaying a bit back and forth.

  Taking his last gulp of wine, Paul threw his goblet to the side and came over grabbing her arm cruelly twisting it up behind her back. He threw Alitta on the bed holding her arms above her head as he kissed her neck and heaving bosom. His other hand roughly feeling her up then working frantically at the lace bodice that kept her unexposed.

  “You promised not till our wedding night.” She protested kneeing him in the side trying to break free of his vise like grip. “I am the King. I can do as I please.” He stated unconcerned that he’d already bruised her.

  “Get off me!” Alitta cried out fighting harder. “Your mine!” Paul roared. “Not yet.” She replied and quit struggling. “Touch me now and I’ll
kill you.” came her cold promise making the king stop in his exploration.

  Paul sobered up a bit and looked into her green eyes that were not bluffing. He shoved her off to the side as he got up punching the bed post and kicking the wooden chest at the foot of the bed.

  With anger in his eyes he glared at her unsure if he should call her bluff or not. “Three days then.” Paul stated before exiting her tower room prison.

  She did not envy the slave who would take all the abuse that he had wanted to direct her way.

  *****

  The queen stood in her chambers looking at the etching of the savior who had given them this world for being so faithful to his word. When the fallen star had arrived, she had finally started to believe the stories of old and thanked the ‘One’ in prayer for delivering her people salvation once more.

  Then, her husband and sons had been murdered and the pretender had taken over bringing forth a reign of terror that had been unknown to this world.

  For seventeen years now she had remained hidden here underground until another star had come down from the heavens. This one had in fact been the one that her people had been waiting for nearly two thousand years.

  The queen had known this the first time that Sergeant Ambly had brought the young woman before the underground throne. Now news from her spy network confirmed it as the princess had used the chambers healing powers without even being in it.

  Even she could not do that and Josefina was the closest link to power here other then the shamans of old. Alitta far surpassed her in every way.

  “The morning star will snuff out the night, bringing order once more to the new world making it right.” the saying before her read. The displaced queen had never understood what those scriptures had meant up until now despite having read it more than a thousand times during her exile.

  It was all so clear now, but would the princess be able to except her own destiny before their future was lost and would Josefina be there to help once that day came?