by Suzanna Lynn
Everyone within earshot gasped at the name. The history of Wintervale was known to all who lived within the realm. Anyone over the age of five years knew the story of how King Rydel erected Fagin Forest. The stories told that he used the last of his magic to do so, therefore condemning himself to death.
The men turned and looked as the elf King emerged from the forest, along with a few elven guards. He was extremely tall and lean, while still appearing strong and formidable. For one so old, he had the appearance of youth about his face, though his ghostly blue eyes spoke of wisdom beyond their reckoning. He wore a fine pale blue tunic that grazed the ground as he walked. His long silken hair flowed over his shoulders and down his back in a straight shimmering white sheet. Atop his head, he wore a crown of silver leaves, accented with emeralds. His presence was ethereal, the air around him shimmered.
Baylin and his men hit the ground, showing their respect. The Prince dared to lift his eyes to King Rydel. “My great Lord, you honor me and my men. We are not worthy of your presence.”
The King nodded his approval with a slight upturn of a smile on his face. “Many thanks, Baylin, son of Ashmur, future King of Grasmere. Please do rise, we have much to discuss.”
Baylin rose as the forest appeared to erupt with movement. Elves began to move out of the darkness of the trees, carrying baskets of fruit and bread along with bottles of wine and water.
Ferric stood, moving in close to Baylin, and whispered, “What in hell is going on?”
King Rydel addressed the elves with a commanding voice. “Please see to these men and their horses. They have a long journey ahead of them and require rest and replenishment.”
Baylin looked at the Elven King with questioning eyes. “Apologies for questioning your gifts and gestures of friendship, for they are most welcome. However, I must ask why you are helping us.”
Rydel smiled gently at him. “Because, Your Grace, you are the great hope of this entire realm. If you cannot stop the evil spreading through this land, it will not only be the races of men and Keld that are abolished. All will fall victim to this evil. Wintervale is in your hands.”
The weight of the words caused Baylin’s body to feel heavy with worry. “I do not understand. You are the great King of old, you are the most powerful being in Wintervale. How can I be the only hope when you are so powerful?”
The King gestured to the edge of the forest where a young elf maid had set out a blanket with food and drink on it. “Please sit with me, both of you. I’m certain you are in great need of rest and refreshment.”
Damn these elves and their cryptic nature. Why can’t they ever give a straight answer? Baylin knew he would get more by playing along with the King rather than demanding information immediately. He nodded to Ferric and they followed the King and sat down on the blanket. Baylin could not deny his stomach screamed for the food that had been provided. He was also certain he would be more useful in battle plans if he had a full stomach.
King Rydel handed them both a piece of bread and hunk of cheese. “Please eat.”
Ferric nodded and tore into the food as though he had not eaten in weeks.
Baylin accepted the gift with a gracious bow of the head. “Many thanks. I do not wish to seem ungrateful, but Mirstone is suiting up to ride on Grasmere as we speak. Every minute we spend here is a minute closer their army will get to us.”
King Rydel gave a mischievous smile and looked over at the elf maid who had helped Baylin so many weeks ago. “Do not worry, my sister Faylen has taken precautions to… delay their army.”
“Your sister?” Baylin questioned in disbelief.
“Yes, Faylen has been watching over you for quite some time, young Prince,” the elf King said matter-of-factly. “As I have said, your rise to power is of great importance to the realm. All of the realm.”
Baylin gave a deep sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. “Then why won’t you tell me so I can get on with it? I do not mean any disrespect, and I know it is in the nature of the elves not to interfere unless necessary, but doesn’t your very presence prove that it is just that?”
King Rydel searched Baylin’s eyes. He appeared as though he struggled between two sides of an argument within his thoughts.
“Please, my Lord, I cannot face this evil on my own,” Baylin pleaded.
His words caught the elf King’s attention. “You won’t, son of Ashmur. We will help you bear this burden, as it will eventually be the burden of all who call Wintervale their home.”
Relief spread over Baylin as he let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thank you, my Lord.”
“My Lord?” Ferric piped up nervously, addressing the elf King. “You stated Mirstone would be delayed. Might I ask how?”
King Rydel smirked, looking back to his sister. “All elves have their own special gift from the gods. Faylen was gifted with the ability to control the moisture in the air.”
Faylen beamed. “I think you will find that Mirstone is covered in a dense onslaught of fog and rain. An army cannot travel if they lack the ability to see their hands in front of their noses!” She giggled, covering her mouth with her delicate hand.
Ferric and Baylin attempted to control their amused laughter at the elf maid’s excitement. Even King Rydel smiled at his sister’s exuberance.
“Many thanks, Milady,” Baylin said with a slight bow of the head. He turned his attentions back to the elf King. “It is obvious you do not plan to leave the Kingdom of Mirstone in an eternal state of dismal conditions; it would not be right for the villagers of the Kingdom to suffer such a fate.”
“Undeniably,” King Rydel agreed as he placed a small grape in his mouth and savored it.
Ferric looked at Baylin. “We must leave soon. At this rate, even with a delay they will be upon us before we can reach Grasmere. How are we to get our men through the forest and ready the Kingdom in time?”
“How indeed?” the elf King murmured as he examined a piece of clover from the ground.
Wonderful, he’s gone cryptic again. Baylin gave a deep sigh and stood up, surveying the trail that ran through Fagin Forest. “It will take a day, at least, for all the men to travel through the forest. There’s hardly room for two wagons to travel past one another.” He turned and faced Faylen. “How much time will your bad weather buy us?”
The elf maid gave a worried look. “I’m afraid I cannot hold the magic for much longer. It was meant to be a delay, not a solution. To cover such a vast area with fog and rain takes its toll.”
“Damn,” Baylin spoke gruffly.
Ferric stepped up and bowed to Faylen. “Milady, thank you for your assistance. Any delay you can afford us is most welcome. But please, do not exert yourself. Especially if it should cause you harm. Your safety is as important as our own.”
Baylin watched as the elf maid’s eyes twinkled and she appeared to have the softest shimmer of a rose blush on her pale cheeks. He could help but smile at his friend. Not many people could say they had the power to charm an elf maid.
King Rydel seemed to have caught the exchange as well, though he did not appear as impressed as his sister. “Prince Baylin, as you know, we have already meddled more than the gods care for us to. We are at risk of angering them. I’m afraid once my sister’s magic has run its course, you will be on your own.” He gave Baylin an apologetic look. “Remember, young Prince, you are the hope of Wintervale.”
“Hope of Wintervale,” Ferric said, putting an arm over Baylin’s shoulder, “try not to muddle it up.” He laughed, attempting to lighten the mood as he clapped Baylin on the back.
The elf King smiled at them both. “Know the elves have not abandoned you. We simply must wait until the gods deem fit for us to… what did you call it? Interfere?”
Baylin chuckled. “Yes, I suppose I did.”
King Rydel called out a phrase in elvish in a commanding tone. All the elves who had brought food and drink began gathering up their wares and returning to the darkness of the forest.
Faylen walked up to Baylin. “Good luck, young Prince.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. She turned to Ferric. “And you, guard of Grasmere. May blessings be with you as well.” She touched his arm gently. She then turned and disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
The King walked gracefully to the edge of the forest, turned and bowed to Baylin. “May the gods smile upon you, son of Ashmur. I believe we shall meet again, very soon.” He spun and disappeared into the darkness of the forest without a sound.
Baylin and his men stared quietly at the forest edge for a few minutes, absorbing all that had occurred. Except for the sound of birds singing and the occasional snort of a horse, the company sat in complete silence waiting for their Prince to act.
Ferric approached Baylin first. “Your Grace, what should we do? Mirstone will eventually move on Grasmere.”
Baylin pondered the scenario carefully. Grasmere is larger than Mirstone. If they ever hope to take the Kingdom, they will have to bring every man, weapon and horse. There would be no way of getting such a large army through Fagin Forest. “They will go by water.”
“Your Grace?” Ferric questioned. “What do you speak of?”
“Mirstone has no chance of getting their entire army through the forest and they know this. They will take the Crystal Waters and the current will be against them,” Baylin explained. “With the delay the elves have provided us, and the fact that they will have to go by boat, it will take them several weeks to mount an attack on Grasmere. That gives us time to plan.”
One of the old generals walked up and bowed. “My Prince, with all due respect, what is there to plan? They are no real threat to the Kingdom.”
The Prince spun and faced the man. “No threat? They control all the fruit production for all five of the Kingdoms. They also have the largest mounted fleet in the Kingdoms.”
“Yes, but that will not cause much damage to the Kingdom,” the general argued. “We will be safe in the castle for months on our stores. We can wait them out.”
“And what of the people?” Baylin questioned through gritted teeth. “The castle is not large enough to shelter all who live within Grasmere. What of the families we have sworn to protect?”
“Sacrifices must be made,” the man replied.
The Prince grabbed the older man by the cuff of his tunic and pulled him in close. “I will not sacrifice even one of my subjects if it can be avoided. Is that understood?”
The general’s eyes grew wide and sweat formed on his forehead. “Yes, Your Grace. My sincere apologies.”
Baylin threw the man back. “Get on your horse and prepare to ride.”
“So…” Ferric tried to hold in a smile. “I guess it’s time to go home.”
Baylin raised an eyebrow at Ferric and shook his head while letting out a sigh. He jumped onto his horse and shouted out, “Mount up! It’s time to go home.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Baylin!” Luana screamed out as she woke, sitting straight up in her bed.
Her handmaid was at her side in an instant at the sound of her cries. After the encounter with Princess Isla, the Queen ordered her to be attended at all times to ensure she was not left vulnerable.
“Milady, it’s all right,” her handmaid soothed. “It was merely a dream.”
Luana was covered in sweat, her hair matted to her face and neck. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself. She was dreaming of Baylin returning to Grasmere, but then the dream turned and she could see he was fighting in a battle. There was fire and blood all around him. Dragons diving from the sky, lighting the land ablaze. It was so real.
Her worry for him, as well as her increasing uncomfortableness from her swollen belly, made it nearly impossible to sleep. She was not due for a few weeks, yet the child had grown so massive in her womb, she felt certain she would burst.
Luana’s heart raced in her chest. “Baylin.”
“He’s still not arrived, milady,” the maid said, taking a cool, wet cloth and running it along Luana’s warm forehead.
Tears welled up in Luana’s eyes. I miss him so much. With the help of her handmaid, she pulled herself up to stand beside the bed.
Peering at the fading light outside she asked, “What time is it?”
“It’s late, milady,” the handmaid replied, leading her to the meal table. “You slept the day away, and the moon has already begun to rise.”
Luana looked at her maid, shocked. “How? Why did you not wake me?”
“Milady, you must get what rest you can when you are able,” the maid replied. “Too soon the baby will be here, and you will need all your strength to bring him into this world.”
This world, Luana thought to herself as she sat at the table. A world that is so uncertain, so full of hate and anger.
She stroked her large belly and felt the baby inside move. At least it is a world where your mother and father love each other, and they love you.
The baby kicked hard and Luana winced at the pain.
“Milady?” the maid asked, putting her hand on Luana’s stomach in concern.
“He’s strong,” Luana said with a smile. “Like his father. Baylin will be so proud.”
The maid grinned at Luana. “How about I bring you something to eat?”
Luana nodded. “Thank you.”
The maid left the room and Luana stood and walked to the opening of the balcony. The villages of Grasmere seemed so quiet under the moon. You would not know a battle was looming not so very far away. It seems so peaceful, like no evil could ever touch such a place.
Luana heard a distant roar of thunder and saw a flash of light to the west. A storm was rolling toward the Kingdom. She loved listening to the rain with Baylin. She longed to feel his arms around her. She touched her stomach tenderly. Your father will be so pleased with you.
Luana thought of Baylin, how the moon shown off his body that first night on the balcony. The moon had been so incredibly full as it bathed their bodies in its cool light. Tonight a half-moon smiled down on her. She felt a pull, as if the moon called to her. It almost seemed to throb with light, as though beckoning her.
Luana’s memories of the moon and the Kingdom were cut short as a sharp pain shot through her. It radiated from her back and surrounded her stomach, tightening as it went. She screamed out as it stretched, taking several seconds to pass. The pain forced her to kneel on the cold stone of the balcony.
The pain began to subside. She panted, taking quick breaths as sweat trickled down her face and back. An evening breeze blew over her, cooling her skin and taking away some of the lingering pain.
The door to the chamber opened as her maid returned with the evening meal. “Milady?”
“Out here,” Luana called. “Please help me.”
The handmaid ran to Luana’s side. “Milady, what is the matter?”
“It’s the baby,” she said through clenched teeth as another wave of pain pulsed over her. “I think he’s coming. It’s too soon.”
The maid struggled to help walk Luana over to the bed. As the full wave of agony hit, Luana screamed, her knees going out from under her.
“Please,” Luana begged as the maid pulled her to the edge of the bed and laid her down. “You must get help.”
The young woman ran from the room calling out for help as more pain seized Luana. She screamed as hot tears ran down her face. Baylin, where are you? I’m so scared.
Many agonizing minutes passed as Luana cried out, alone and terrified. When the maid finally returned, she brought with her several other maids, a midwife and Queen Valasca herself.
“Luana, dearest,” the Queen cried, reaching out and holding Luana’s hand in her own. “It will be all right.”
Luana could not hold back the tears falling from her eyes. Her sobs were not only from the torment of her flesh, but the sorrow in her heart.
An assault of tightening spasms radiated through Luana and she screamed out as the maids and midwife prepared for the arrival of h
er son.
Luana turned and looked at the Queen. “I’m scared.”
The Queen stroked Luana’s hair lovingly. “I was too when Baylin was coming. But I made it through it, and now I get to see you bring his child into the world. Nothing gives me greater joy.”
Luana clenched her teeth, struggling not to scream at the spasms. “I wish he was here.”
“I know, dearest,” the Queen soothed, stroking her hair. “I have sent word through my personal messenger, but I am afraid your son is in a hurry to see this world and will not wait for his father’s return.”
Luana tried to smile, but the pain was too great.
*****
Through the night and well into the morning, Luana labored with the child. The midwife had provided her with a special tea that helped to dull the senses, but the pain remained.
Queen Valasca had not left Luana’s side. Like a true mother, she held Luana’s hand and soothed her lovingly through the pain. Luana was grateful for the Queen, but her soul ached for Baylin. Her heart seized as painfully as her body did. She was losing strength with every minute that passed.
“My Queen,” the midwife said with a slight bow. “Might I speak with you on the balcony? I believe some air would do you good.”
The Queen began to argue, but the expression on the midwife’s face stopped her tongue.
Valasca leaned over to Luana, kissing her forehead. “I am going to step outside for a moment, dearest. I promise I will return momentarily.”
Queen Valasca followed the midwife out onto the balcony. “What is this? She needs me.”
“Apologies, Your Grace,” the midwife replied. Her lined face was exaggerated by the rays of the rising sun. She furrowed her brow and squeezed her hands together. “My Queen, I must inform you that the young miss is not doing well.”
Valasca’s beautiful face transformed as fear overwhelmed her. Her mouth fell agape and her eyes flew wide open. “What do you mean?”
“I’m afraid there is little more I can do, Your Grace,” the midwife said. “I’ve brought many a baby into this Kingdom, some that were very determined not to come. But with this, it’s like his mother has given up. The young miss is very weak.”