Slow steps led her down the aisle, everything fading to the background as she took in the man she was set to marry. Her knight waited at the front of the room, regal as any prince. His dark blue doublet edged in gold complemented her dress brilliantly, and he held her favorite flower: a single white rose. Madeline bit her lip; her every desire was coming true, down to the last detail. Her heart fluttered as he swept his blonde hair to the side, revealing the scar on his upper brow. His chiseled jaw tightened with a smile as their eyes connected. With that one look, her flutters stopped.
As Madeline and Braden made their way to the base of the stairs, Daniel bowed. Braden gave her a soft squeeze and loving look before connecting her hand with Daniel’s. For a moment, everything else faded, and the room stood still as she took in her knight.
“People of Soron,” Elias boomed, breaking her reverie. “We are here today to witness and share in a day of love. As you witness this union, pay attention to my words. This is a union we have not seen before, a covenant joining two people, two classes, and two futures into one. You are here at this remarkable time to usher in the new and watch the transformation of the old.”
Lowering his arms, he looked at Madeline, then Daniel. “Daniel, please take Princess Madeline’s hands in yours.” Princess Madeline took the offered rose from Daniel and lifted it to her nose, enjoying the lingering scent, a sweet promise.
“Now we begin,” Elias said, commanding the attention of the guests. From the pedestal before him, he poured deep red wine into a chalice. The cup shone with glittering gems along the rim, and an etched dragon curled up the golden stem. “From this moment, we combine the jewel of our kingdom, the promise of our future, with the strength of commitment and the demonstration of loyalty,” he said, adding a clear liquid to the cup.
“Will the clear dilute the red or will the red stain the clear? Will the tastes blend, or contrast to the point of attacking the senses? With marriage, we risk the same, blending two individuals. Today we join the lives of Princess Madeline and Sir Daniel with the hope of a fruitful future, a combination of their strengths and a dilution of weaknesses. Let their love blend them together like the fruits of this wine.”
Princess Madeline and Daniel watched as Elias swirled the chalice before him, closed his eyes, and began chanting. A soft hum surrounded them as Elias’s wizards joined in the incantation. Their robes gleamed in the candlelight, and their arms rose in chant, their hoods down in secrecy.
The crowd began whispering, and Madeline looked around, seeing wonder and confusion in some faces. King Braden sat in the front, his head bowed and eyes closed. It had been over seventeen years since the exile, and no one remembered all of the old traditions. Madeline looked at Daniel and smiled. Whatever rituals they had to go through, they would do it together.
“Princess Madeline,” Elias said, holding out a hand. “Do you take Sir Daniel to be your husband, your protector, and your equal in the future, for now and forever?”
Madeline’s eyes connected with Daniel’s, and a rush of butterflies fluttered through her. “For now and forever, I do,” she said, biting her lower lip.
“Sir Knight,” Elias said, turning toward Daniel. “Do you take Princess Madeline to be your wife, your protector, and your equal in the future, for now and forever?”
Daniel let out a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. “For now and forever, I do,” he said, choking up.
Elias smiled and swirled the chalice once more. “May this union be as sweet as this wine, as fruitful as the fruit which produced it, and as strong as the vines that continue to grow.” He carefully poured two glasses of the mixed wine and handed it to them.
“For now and forever,” Elias boomed, raising his arms up, inviting the wizards to join in. Their voices reverberated through the room, a sweet harmony echoing off the stained glass.
Madeline and Daniel sipped their wine, tasting the sweet combination, knowing that their union had been blessed.
“People of Soron,” Elias said over the music. “I present to you Prince Daniel and Princess Madeline.”
The room shook as the people, the king, and the wizards offered their approval.
Daniel leaned in and touched her chin. “My Princess,” he said softly, lifting her lips to his.
“My Prince,” she sighed, content, closing her eyes and leaning against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.
“Princess,” Elias said.
“Hmmm,” she murmured, not wishing to break the moment with Daniel. “Yes, Elias, what is it?”
“Your Highness, I am sorry to intrude upon this moment, but we must prepare. Your father was very clear with his instructions. We are not to delay our departure. I was to see to the ceremonies today and for our travel tomorrow. Make whatever arrangements you need for yourself and your companions. Tomorrow, we leave.”
Daniel looked from Madeline to Elias. “Is it necessary? Tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yes, tomorrow. The dragon is still about, and King Theodore was clear. Braden will be controlling the knights here, and we will be traveling north to develop your home near Dragon’s Gate, as promised.” He held his hand to dismiss any arguments. “Enjoy this evening, but tomorrow we go. Make sure your team is ready.”
“So much for our happy ending,” she mumbled, watching Elias move through the thinning crowd.
Daniel turned her head with a soft trace of her jaw. “No one will ever get in the way of our happily ever after,” he said, leaning in for a tender kiss.
Their eyes closed as the shadow of the dragon passed through the glass windows.
CHAPTER NINE
The early morning air gusted into the far corners of the castle. The only light flickered from torches as men rushed about. The silver of the knights’ armor flashed in the firelight as they moved, directed by the hushed commands of their new king. The loud thuds and persistent clanking muted their voices. Swords, weaponry, and armor were stacked in one corner, provisions in another.
King Braden stood up front, his eyes heavy from directing the men all night. With the inevitable battle with the dragon on his mind, Braden struggled to stay one step ahead. His head pounded under the expectations. As the first glimpse of golden light from the morning sun started to glimmer above the horizon, King Braden called his men near.
“I know this comes at us quickly, a pace which has unfortunately become commonplace.” He stopped as the grumbles of agreement flowed through the crowd full of worn faces, red from exertion and exasperation. He felt their fear.
“I know we are reeling from the past few days. How quickly celebrations can turn into disasters. How quickly life can fade before us. Now is not the time to mourn, but to act, to make a plan to counteract these problems. Now is a time to show the dragon that the kingdom of Soron is still strong. We didn’t falter against Prince Paulsen’s attack last fall, and we won’t now. Let’s rise to the occasion and end this once and for all!
He walked among them, gauging their strength and nerves. “Look back into our history, gaze upon our walls and tapestries, listen to our songs. Do you remember the dragon hunter? Lord Hawthorne? I do. His adventures stirred my heart as a child, and now his songs entice my spirit to action. It is in our history, in our blood. Together, we can add a new chapter, and put our names in the songs. Today we make our stand for the future!”
The courtyard amplified the robust cheers at their king’s proclamation. “This week we prepare, and then we move.” Braden’s crimson robe shone as the sun rose above the walls. His men resumed their work, loading and sorting with renewed energy.
Princess Madeline rose and stood at the tower window, watching the sun creep above the castle walls and into the rounded edges of her tower. Her hair flowed behind her, its soft waves flowing in the breeze. She smiled, hearing her brother’s voice and the wild scurrying of men following his orders echo from below. The day had barely begun, and already he called for action.
“Daniel,” she whispered, turning around
to wake him. “Come see.”
His grumbles attracted a quick toss of one of Madeline’s rose pillows.
“That’s worth the early wake up,” he laughed, rubbing his eyes as he joined Madeline at the window. His smile grew as he watched the men run from corner to corner, creating heaps of materials and supplies. His chuckling faded as he focused on the wizards in the corner.
“Madeline,” he said with a sigh. “It looks like we have our orders too.” He pointed off to the far corner, where Elias was directing his wizards. Their piles grew slowly in comparison to the stacks of the military men.
She exhaled, leaning over the edge, feeling a strong blend of excitement and apprehension tighten within her. “It’s really happening, isn’t it?”
Daniel looked down at her and smiled, wrapping his arms around her, erasing her worry with one touch. “Yes, it is. Our future begins today.”
She returned to the window, raising her eyes to the horizon and seeing the outline of Dragon’s Gate in the distance. “It’s time to go home.”
Hours flew by. Everyone shared the new king’s urgency. Piles upon piles lined the side of the courtyard. One corner represented the needs of Soron; the other, soon to travel north with Madeline, grew almost as quickly. King Braden’s piles shone, reflecting the blinding light of the afternoon off the stacks of armor and swords. Her piles held a jumble of baskets of cloth, bakery wares, building tools, books, and all the necessary goods to care for a community.
Princess Madeline looked up and saw Braden across the way, scowling at the piles. She walked to his side, noticing the new lines of worry across his brow.
“Braden?” she rested her hand on his shoulder.
He stopped and looked at her. His gaze softened, and worry flickered in his eyes. “I wish…” he said, trailing off.
“I know, I wish it too,” she said, squeezing his arm as they watched the crowd gather around. The time was near.
The quiet turned to anxiousness as villagers crowded in, looking for updates. The hectic pace of the past few days had exhausted them. Her lips tightened as he drew a deep breath and addressed his men.
“People of Soron, friends, loyal subjects, wizards, we have gathered today for the moment of truth. The time has come to make a decision, to decide which path your future will take. Today, a portion of you will travel with our princess to the north, trudging the dangers of the deep to forge a future with her, guided by her prince and dearest advisors. It is a long road ahead, but one of hope and new beginnings for all.
“Those who remain here will meet other dangers, challenges, and triumphs. Neither way will be easy, but no reward worth fighting for ever is. The Kingdom of Soron is expanding, and it is up to all of us to help in the way we each can. You must choose: stay here or travel north.”
The normal fanfare and cheers didn’t come. The gravity of the situation weighed on their minds.
The crowd slowly parted. King Braden watched as the older knights and men lined up beside him and a smaller group formed next to Princess Madeline and Daniel. She smiled as a few of her favorites hurried into spots next to her. Sophia took her natural spot behind her. Sophia’s face lit up with excitement as all past hesitations and reservations to the move disappeared. Beside her, Emmett inched closer with a similar smile. Princess Madeline’s heart filled as she looked at the line behind her. The friendly baker, one of the apothecaries, some stoneworkers, and the blacksmith with an arm full of tools. Grim faces, tight smiles, and brave spirits stood there. Her group was small, but she had the right people.
Elias stood next to them, separating his men into both groups. “Princess,” he said, addressing her. “Since I have dedicated myself to your education, and we have yet to decipher the mystery behind your dreams, I will be traveling with you. I hope you don’t mind my company along the way.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way, Elias.”
“What is our plan?” Daniel whispered to her. “I don’t want to rush, but they are looking for us to lead.” He glanced back to the eager people who stood behind them.
Madeline saw the insecurities playing behind his eyes. She felt a bundle of nerves in her stomach too. As the princess, she had led from the sidelines, not the front. In the span of one day, their roles had changed. Daniel was stepping into new territory. His steel gray eyes, normally fearless, wavered with trepidation.
Elias scratched his head, lost in thought, before speaking. “We are moving with a group of builders, not warriors. We will need to travel safely but quickly. There is only one way I am aware of that will get us where we need to go. We will use the tunnels.”
Madeline’s eyes lit up at the mention of the tunnels. Elias’s eyes matched hers.
The wizard and Daniel gathered their group together and began sorting their provisions. Their distraction gave Madeline a moment to reflect. The next time she would be here, she’d be a visitor. That finality hurt her more than she wanted to admit, more than her dreams had ever allowed her to see. Her heart dropped. The hard stones before her blurred as tears clouded her vision.
Everywhere her eyes drifted took on a new meaning, a new dimension, as a memory called out. The ripples in the fountain reminded her of the times in her childhood when she’d fallen in. Looking at the tower, she remembered the secrecy that had surrounded it for most of her life and the excitement of climbing it for the first time. The hanging banners and royal emblems brought back memories of the royal balls: nights filled with treats, music, and mystery. Even the empty window of the library called out to her with thoughts of her lessons and tutors. Each stone, each room, each part of the castle acted as a bittersweet reminder of her life and her promise to care for this kingdom. Visions swirled in her mind as her eyes darted from the red banner of Soron to the golden dragon emblem to the merchants’ streamers, finally settling on her brother’s crimson robe.
“Braden,” she said, stretching her arms around him, holding on a moment longer than usual. “Please take care.”
He looked her in the eyes and nodded solemnly. “I will, and you take care as well. We’ll be back together before you know it.”
As they separated, Madeline felt the sting of her tears as her chin quivered.
She composed herself, joining Elias and Daniel to review the maps of the tunnels. The hidden system underground led to the various areas of the territory.
“It is time,” Elias said, rolling up the map. He led them across the courtyard.
Their steps echoed on the hard stone floor as they began their journey down the steps. The air grew staler the further down they went. Dust and moldy hay aggravated their senses. The air grew close around them.
Shuffling and clanking sounded out the closer they got to the ground level of the dungeon. There were grunts and growls as men fought in the dark recesses of their cells. A wild laugh hit Madeline in the heart. Her breath caught in her chest as a familiar voice taunted her.
“Princess, Princess, Princess. I see you have reconsidered my offer.” A chuckle riled up the others, and soon the walls echoed with their madness.
Madeline’s head shot up. Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes connected with the captured man.
“Oh no,” Madeline said, hearing the laughter around her, and the familiar manipulative undertones of his voice. “I forgot about him.” She turned to look at Daniel, who responded by tapping the hilt of his sword.
Prince Paulsen walked to the cell door, grabbing the steel bars between his hands and pulling his face as close as he could toward her. The blue in his eyes, once charming, shone with madness. His playfulness and assertiveness had long since faded in the darkness as the depths of his insanity emerged.
“You forgot about me, Princess?” his voice carried over to her. “How is that possible? Does one easily dismiss suitors that are willing to fight for you?” His eyes glinted with contempt at the people entering the dungeon. Women with torn aprons, men with heavily stained work smocks, robed wizards, knights.
“I
t seems you’ve brought quite a few tonight. To what do I owe this visit?” he asked, pulling his tunic straight and ruffling his hair.
She looked between Daniel and Prince Paulsen, and then over to Elias, who hid his surprise much better than she. A loud clang rang out as Prince Paulsen struck his fist on the cell door.
“I said,” he uttered between clenched teeth, “what brings you here?”
The air thickened, and the other bandits quieted as Prince Paulsen’s demeanor changed.
Daniel pulled Madeline toward him and wrapped his arms around her. Her eyes sought his, but he was locked in on the madman.
With a loud cough, Elias cleared his throat and stepped forward toward the locked cells. “Prince Paulsen,” he said, looking in. “Do you know what this dungeon used to be?” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “It was magic.”
Princess Madeline looked around and saw Emmett and the other wizards huddled together, their heads in conference. Sophia stood to the side of Emmett, shaking her head.
“Magic?” Prince Paulsen gaffed. “There’s no magic here. Is that what this is? Are you here to put on a show for us?” Laughter rang out as Paulsen mimicked a fumbling flourish of a wand.
“Yes, Paulsen, we’re going to put on a show,” Elias laughed.
The sleeves of his robe slid down, and he raised his arms above his head. The golden embroidery on his robe glittered in the torchlight. The wizards joined together in a semi-circle around him, centering toward the cells. As their soft, whispered chant began, Paulsen and his men grew silent. The hairs on the back of their arms stood up, and an electric charge tingled through the air.
Paulsen backed away from the cell door, shuffling over his feet and falling in his attempts to back away. Digging his heels in, he pushed himself back to the far corner and hid his head.
The Dragon and Princess Madeline Page 5