Captive of Raven Castle

by Jessica Greyson

  “No sire, she can’t be dead.”

  “She is not, at least not yet. Archibald has taken her.”

  “Then let’s go after them. I will get a group of men and we will track them down,” he said, moving towards the door.

  “You cannot go, Taleon. I gave my word that we would not.”

  “Why!” Taleon asked in disbelief.

  “He was going to kill her in my presence or take her and let me hope that he would not slay her.”

  “You what?” Taleon was incredulous

  “I had no choice, Taleon. It was either having him leave with her, or have them both die. I tried everything I could think of, Taleon, but there was no availing.”

  “Sire. Let me go after her,” Taleon urged.

  “No. I gave my word.”

  “But I did not give mine.”

  “I said none of my men. You are no exception.”

  “Archibald will kill her!” shouted Taleon, trembling with rage.

  Aric had never seen Taleon so vehement before, so full of hate, because he was filled with something that was so the opposite.

  He had been watching them. He had seen it in their eyes, their manners towards each other, and he had approved. It was for this reason that he wanted to tell Taleon himself.

  “I know,” Aric said, laying his hand on Taleon’s shoulder. “I know he will kill my daughter. It was that or letting him kill you and all of the other people here. My army, my kingdom, my people. I could not do that to them. He would destroy them and delight in it. I gave her up for you and for everybody else here.”

  Taleon jerked from the king’s hand and turned to walk away. “I am going after her!”

  “You do and he’ll come back. Taleon, if you have any respect for me, you will remain here and help me keep my word.”

  Taleon turned to Aric, his king, his nearly adopted father. “How can you give her up?”

  “It was her, Taleon or all of them, one for many. The price is very dear, but they will count it worth it, and in time,” he halted, “in time, I will call the price painfully dear, but worth the pain. I love Cassandra more than my own life. Sometimes for the greater good, we must sacrifice our hearts, Taleon. Come here, stand by me.”

  Reluctantly Taleon did so, his heart urging him to run, to find her, to hold her safely in his arms, to tell her... He wished he had spoken, so that she could at least take the knowing of his heart with her to the grave. Every word he had not spoken now haunted him, for he knew now it was more than just a feeling; it was a part of him—a part of him that she would always have.

  Aric rested his hand on Taleon’s shoulder again.

  “Look at the people. They are happy. See the children playing. They would be screaming in terror if I left it to Archibald. The city will laugh and be filled with joy yet.”

  Even Taleon’s grief-stricken eyes could see the joy of the city awakening, blossoming into something greater than it had been.

  “There is one more thing I have to ask of you.” His hand tightened on Taleon’s shoulder.

  “Yes, sire?”

  King Aric took a large sigh, let it out, and spoke in a whisper. “Will you be my son?”

  “Your son?”

  “The kingdom needs an heir who is ready to take the throne. You share our vision, Cassandra’s and mine.”

  “How can you ask me now?”

  “She saw it coming.” He handed him a sheet of paper. “One of the men found this in her room. I think you should read it.” He handed it to Taleon.

  To my dearest Pappa, Mamma, and Taleon,

  The time has come. Uncle Archibald has sealed my death sentence and given me these few hours to prepare. I must. There is no escape for me; I am at peace; you needn’t worry for me. But the burden is not with those who are leaving, but with those who must stay. I am afraid I am leaving that sad burden to both of you and my dear Mamma.

  The reason you are reading this is because I am gone. I have one request of you; that is, please take Taleon as your heir. I have learned from him so much and I know he will carry on your dream and with you; he will bring the kingdom up from the dust. There is greatness in him. For many years he has been like a son to you. Let him be your heir, since I cannot fulfil those dreams.

  There was an impending doom upon this place when I entered and I am afraid I have fulfilled its destiny for me.

  I shall rest in peace for I know you shall conquer.

  With all my love,

  Cassandra.

  Taleon broke into tears and the king wrapped his arms about him. Their hearts were breaking.

  After several minutes, Taleon composed himself and Aric repeated his question.

  “Taleon, will you be my honorable son and heir?”

  Then for the first time in his life, he called King Aric the name he had always wanted to call him. “Yes, Father. I will.”

  Just then Serena entered the room. Her face was swollen from abuse of Archibald and her eyes from crying.

  “Have you asked him?” she asked, tears hovering in her eyes.

  “Yes.” And Aric nodded his head in reply to the second question given only by a look.

  Walking up to the young man, she took his face in her gentle hands, pressing her cheek against his. “Welcome home, my son.” And her tears mingled with his.

  Chapter 39

  It was late the next afternoon that a body was discovered floating, snagged in the river. When it was fished out, it was discovered to be that of the late Imposter.

  There was a leap of hope in everyone’s heart. Search parties for the princess commenced searching the entire length of the river. Save for a few discoveries—the body of the Imposter and the place where they had battled—nothing brought light to Cassandra’s fate. It was as if Cassandra had fallen off the surface of the earth. Chambria’s princess was nowhere to be found.

  As the truth about what the princess had done in returning to the valley spread, the people’s affections grew for her and they spread out in the search, but still to no avail.

  Princess Cassandra was gone.

  The small harvest was brought in and the first winter snows fell with it. Hope and dreams were laid aside and Taleon was crowned the noble prince of Chambria.

  For many the day was joyous. For Taleon, it was a death and a dream all bound into one.

  He had at last the father and mother he had always craved, but the price was far too high.

  Winter settled in long and hard, and slowly the three bonded deeply into a tight family, all bearing the same wound, hiding the same hope, cherishing a love for the dream that had died.

  Spring came into the valley and with it came rain to melt the snow even in the heart of the deepest woods.

  It was a sunny brisk day in April when Taleon went out to supervise the building of irrigation trenches several miles out of Chambia. As evening approached, he mounted his horse and prepared to leave.

  He looked to the east. Not far away from here, the last battle for Chambria had taken place. He had visited it so many times, but he could not help himself. He must see it again. Maybe he would find something he had missed before.

  “Are we going home, my prince?”

  Taleon looked at Willamsen, his attendant. “I want to see the ravine.”

  Willamsen nodded. Taleon would never be satisfied until she was found, but how long would they spend there this time?

  Legends were beginning to surround the princess—stories, fantasies that all solved her disappearance, but none satisfied him. He would not be content until he saw her face once again. Some people really believed that she had loved her uncle more than her father and had fled by choice with him. Others knew the truth, but still it pained them.

  Taleon rode to the ravine and looked over the edge. He had memorized how they had found it a battleground that only left one body, the one that had floated down the river. They had traced hoofprints that turned back towards Chambria, then disappeared into thin air.

  “Where
did you go, Cassandra?” he murmured into the wind. It swept away his words without deigning a reply.

  Something about all of it unsettled his heart still. He knew there was not a day that went by that his father did not look out the window for her, that his mother did not sigh for her. In his heart he knew she was still alive. But where? Where had she gone and why had she not returned? He looked out over the landscape, his heart still aching and burning; he missed her. He had fallen in love with her and now she was gone.

  Oh Cassandra.

  “She’s not here, my prince,” whispered Williamsen, who had not dismounted. “And it is growing dark. You will not wish to worry your father.”

  Taleon turned around. “Thank you, Willamsen.”

  The man nodded.

  Taleon was determined to hunt for her, but Willamsen was right. Today was not the day for it. But would it ever come?

  Mounting his horse, they turned back towards Chambria. It was going to be a long ride back. Reaching a large meadow at the edge of the woods, they paused. Chambria was a long way off, but they could see it in the distance, small but beautiful. It was a saved city. A few months’ work had done wonders for it and Chambria was being considered once again a successful nation.

  To their left came a loud noise of something large barreling through the forest. Both men laid hands on their swords, ready for whatever was going to come.

  In the dark shadows of the forest, a slender girl in a coarse dress appeared. Her cheeks were hollowed. Everything about her seemed thin, even the horse she rode; it looked like a noble beast, but lack of care had made him look shabby, though he carried himself with a proud air.

  As they came into the meadow, she leaned over his neck and urged him into a gallop. Her black loose locks flew about her, mingling with the mane of the black beast. They rode as one.

  Taleon’s breath caught in his chest, almost choking his lungs. Could it be? Could it really truly be? Taleon barely dared to believe his eyes.

  Crouching over the neck of his horse, he spurred him into gallop. They would be easy to catch, a well-fed horse against the black beast.

  At the sound of a second pair of hoofbeats, the black beast kicked up his heels and put his head down further, but the rider glanced back.

  Chapter 40

  A wave of shock washed over Cassandra. There was Taleon riding, riding towards her.

  Pulling up on her horse, she pulled for him to stop. He fought the command but obeyed at last.

  In a moment Taleon was beside her. Cassandra started to dismount when the strap slipped from beneath her foot.

  Taleon caught her in his arms and held her tight. “Cassandra, Cassandra.”

  Slowly her feet touched the earth. Tears poured down her cheek.

  In a few minutes, he pulled away so that he could see her face. “Are you all right?”

  “Is he really gone forever?” she managed to choke out.

  “Forever.”

  She closed her eyes and let the burden slip off of her shoulders.

  “How did it happen?”

  “We fought on the cliffs of the river.”

  “I know, but how did you survive?”

  “He was going to kill me and piece by piece throw me into the river. But these saved me,” she said holding up the cuffs still attached to her wrists, the chains broken off.

  Taleon gasped as if someone had stabbed him in the chest.

  “Cassandra. You killed him with these and a dagger?”

  Cassandra lowered her eyes to the ground and nodded.

  “The cliffs; are not so far away. Where did you go? Why couldn’t I find you anywhere?”

  “With these as my only defense...” Cassandra held up her wrists.

  Taleon grasped the meaning of her words and held her close again.

  “An old woman who lives in the woods like a hermit rescued me. If it wasn’t for her...I am not sure that I would still be here. She hid me in her cabin, afraid that if Archibald’s soldiers found out, we would be done for. I didn’t become conscious until the first snowfall.”

  “Cassandra.” His heart ached in his words.

  Tears flowed down her face. “By the time I was well enough to leave, the snow was too deep to ride him, and if I would have broken through a tall drift I might not have been able to get out. As I was getting ready to leave she became very ill and I couldn’t leave her after all that she had done for me. It wasn’t possible until today, and until this moment I was wondering if it would be possible at all.”

  Taleon understood what Cassandra meant, holding her in his arms. She felt weak.

  For a long time they stood there letting time pass sweetly.

  They were reminded that they were in someone else’s presence. Willamsen cleared his throat. “I think the king and queen would like to see her as well, if you don’t mind, my prince.”

  Cassandra looked up at him, joy in her eyes. “My prince,” she murmured. “So you are crowned?”

  “After the first snow,” he whispered.

  Cassandra smiled. “It’s a good thing.”

  “Come, let’s get you home,” he said, mounting his horse, then, leaning down, he took her in front of him.

  “I have to keep my eye on you,” he whispered, putting an arm around her waist. She leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Willamsen rolled his eyes, shook his head, and smiled.

  The ride was strangely silent, the presence of each other being entirely satisfactory. When they appeared in the city, people stopped in the streets to stare, mouths dropped open, eyes bulged, but somewhere someone started to cheer.

  “Cas-sand-ra! Cas-sand-ra! Cas-sand-ra!”

  People took up the chorus. Chanting it over and over again they gathered around with smiles and cheers.

  Cassandra’s eyes flooded with tears as she remembered the way they used to gather around her. There were no stones, no rotten vegetables. They were cheering, cheering for her.

  Taleon’s arms tightened around her and he whispered in her ear. “That is the welcome home for a heroine.”

  She let the tears fall and looked at the people with affection. Someone flung a flower into her lap. Cassandra looked up to thank whoever had showered her with such a precious gift. Unexpectedly flowers were pouring from window boxes everywhere. It was too much. She covered her face and cried for joy. Taleon applied spurs to his steed and they rushed into the open castle gates.

  Just appearing in an archway were the king and queen with puzzled and hopeful looks on their faces.

  They rushed forward and Taleon set Cassandra down.

  The three collided into a solid embrace. Slowly Taleon dismounted, watching “his” family. Tears were pouring down their cheeks and were misting over his own.

  Their arms opened wide, inviting him in. He joined the circle with Cassandra happily half-smothered in the middle. It seemed like forever that they stood there before their circle finally opened. Looking around them, Cassandra realized that they were surrounded by her father’s noble council knights. She caught sight of Keenan and ran to him, flinging her arms around his neck. She had not forgotten his kindness or how much it had meant to her that bleak day. He embraced her. In a moment she stepped back, remembering her dignity.

  “Thank you,” Cassandra whispered. She tried to say more, but the words wouldn’t come.

  “It was my honor, your highness,” he said, kneeling before her and kissing her hand. Looking up into her face, he said, “I give my solemn promise that my sword shall defend you always and forever to the end of my days. Never shall an enemy lay hands on you again if it is within my power to protect you.”

  Cassandra was at a loss for words. Thank you was such a small word compared to his, but she uttered it with a squeeze of her hand.

  “Thank you, Lord Keenan. From the very depths of my heart, thank you.”

  He rose. “It was my honor, your highness.”

  Unexpectedly her Pappa gathered her up in his arms and carried her inside. She
was home.

  Chapter 41

  Cassandra had been loosed of her bonds and put to bed.

  Three days had passed since Taleon had seen her.

  Taleon was restless. He couldn’t sleep. Rising, he dressed and went for a walk. There had to be something to do. Time away from her was eating at him horribly.

  It was while walking in the east corridor, he saw her leaning against the window, gazing outward.

  As he approached, she turned and smiled at him, then gazed back out of the window.

  Coming up to her, he said, “You should be sleeping.”

  “I couldn’t. My eyes just won’t shut.”

  Taleon stepped behind Cassandra. She leaned against him and he slipped his arms around her waist.

  Unexpectedly tears were on her cheeks.

  “What is the matter, Cassandra?” Taleon whispered, gently pressing his cheek to her temple.

  “Nothing,” Cassandra whispered.

  Slowly Taleon turned Cassandra to face him. She hid her face against his doublet.

  “Cassie,” he said slowly, tipping back her head. “Your father and I have been talking some things over, and we think it would be best for the kingdom to have one heir.”

  She looked up at him, puzzled. “One heir?”

  “Yes,” he said with a nod.

  “You aren’t leaving, Taleon?” she asked, the grip on his doublet tightening with all of her strength. “Tell me you aren’t leaving,” she said, tears coming into her eyes faster than ever.

  “I will never leave you, Cassie, if that is what you wish.”

  “I want you to stay,” she confessed with her whole heart.

  “In that case,” he paused and lowered his voice to a whisper in her ear. “I love you, Cassie.”

  Cassandra started to cry harder.

  Taleon held her tight until she was calm.

  “Oh Taleon,” she whispered, “It was the hope of hearing those words that gave me hope through the winter.”

  The whole meaning of her words struck him in the chest and Taleon’s eyes misted over.

  She put her arms around his neck and looked trustingly up into his blue-green eyes. “I love you, Taleon.”