“I can’t believe you’re really here,” Sitnalta said when she finally pulled away.
“I almost can’t believe it either,” Aud replied. She took Sitnalta’s face in her hands and planted a kiss on the Princess’s forehead. During her long days in the dark, it was the memory of her Princess that kept her going. She knew that Sitnalta would never give up, and so, for her sake, Aud kept on. “I missed you terribly. Even though I knew you were safe, I worried for you.”
“How do you think I felt?” Sitnalta said, in a weak attempt at a joke.
Gerald gave a soft chuckle. “Wilhelm should have known,” he said. “Even iron bars and the sea couldn’t keep us apart. We are a family.”
Sitnalta stood and stared at them in awe. She wanted to commit this moment to her memory for all time. Yet, as she looked them over, she was struck by how pale they appeared to her. They had both lost weight since she had seen them, and they seemed weakened by their time in captivity. But that’s okay, a voice inside her whispered. We can fix all of this when Kralc gets the coin. They will be as they were. It will all be all right. Sitnalta nodded to herself. Yes. She would help Kralc fix everything. She had nothing to fear now that her family was safe.
Chapter Fifteen
Plotting
Wilhelm was furious. He could not believe the sheer incompetence of his men. Not only had they managed to lose his prisoners, but they had only managed to kill a single pathetic man from the group that had been behind the jailbreak. The King of Colonodona threw his maps and papers across his desk and growled in frustration. There had to be somewhere they had gone. People just did not disappear into thin air without some trace, some trail leading to where they had gone.
He had men scouring the docks, searching each and every building throughout the city. He had men searching farms, looking through the forest. He knew from the kingdom’s past that Princess Sitnalta had managed to evade her father for quite some time. At the time, he had laughed to himself over how a child had managed such a feat. Now that he was in the same situation, he finally understood how frustrating it truly was. For one mere girl to disappear so completely was an annoyance. However, he could almost understand it. Children disappear every day. But for two grown adults to join her and leave him in the dark about where they had gone? To him, this was inconceivable!
Wilhelm sat at his desk and pondered his options. Here he was, in the seat of absolute power. He had nearly everything he had wished for. And there was the rub: this power was an illusion. He knew that. It was his through magic, and through magic alone. He could use that magic again and have Gerald and his wretched Queen back in his grasp. He could have the Princess as well, all with the smallest of whispers. Yet, he was loath to do that. He felt that this was to concede defeat to an old man and a girl. He would catch them the hard way. He would do this so he could look the three of them in the eye and see the fear and the understanding that he had won. Wishing them back wouldn’t bring this, though. Not when the coin had an agenda of its own. He had wished to be king, yet the coin had given him a kingdom filled with rebels and people who opposed him. He had wished them away, yet more had sprung up. If he were to wish the Princess back, he would have to be careful about how he did so. Otherwise it would be just his luck that he might just get her back as a corpse.
He rose from behind his desk and went to retrieve his papers. He collected them up off of the floor and returned them to their place atop his desk. As he looked at the maps that rested at the top of the pile, he froze and cursed under his breath. How could he have been so blind! He stood and stared at the map of the island kingdom that lay to the west of Colonodona. He reached back into the recesses of his mind. He tried to remember what he’d heard of the treaties that Gerald had been working on before he’d taken over. He remembered that King Parven had a son of around the same age as Princess Sitnalta. He’d heard the guards speculating about weddings while he was locked away and he’d laughed over how, thanks to him, that was something that would never come to pass. If they were hiding anywhere, Wilhelm speculated that they would be with King Parven.
The King yanked open the door to his study and called for his Captain. He turned back to his desk and threw himself down into his chair. Frederic came running into his room.
“You asked for me, Sire?” Frederic said, bowing before his King. He felt nervous, fearing that the King had somehow discovered his deceit. He had a sick feeling in his stomach, coming close to regretting his actions that had saved Aud and Gerald. He had been going over it in his head, worrying what his actions might mean for his family. He had a young child to think of at home, and he was afraid for what Wilhelm might do if he learned the truth.
“I did,” Wilhelm said. “I felt that since you so thoroughly bungled the job and let my prisoners escape, I would give you a chance to redeem yourself.”
Frederic looked up in surprise. “Redeem myself? How?”
“I wish for you to take thirty of your most qualified men, travel to King Parven’s castle and retrieve Gerald, Aud, and the Princess Sitnalta.”
“But, Sire! Isn’t this an act of war?” Frederic spluttered. He felt his heart sink. He hoped the King wouldn’t react too harshly to his objection.
“Wasn’t it an act of war to take the Princess in the first place? Isn’t it an act of war to harbour fugitives from my kingdom?” Wilhelm felt his temper rise, and he struggled to keep it in check.
“I’m sorry, Sire,” Frederic said. “I will do exactly as you ask. I will not fail you again.”
“See that you don’t. You are dismissed. Take my fastest ship and whatever provisions you need. You leave at sunrise.”
Frederic left the room and lay back against the wooden door. He sighed. He hated being Wilhelm’s captain of the guards, yet he knew that to leave his service would mean death for himself and his family. He hoped King Gerald would forgive him for what he had to do. Helping him once had almost led to serious trouble for him and those he loved. He doubted he could take the same chance again.
* * *
Sitnalta sat at Aud’s feet and revelled in the feeling of the Queen’s hands brushing her blue hair. She was smiling ecstatically and hadn’t stopped talking throughout supper, telling Aud and Gerald all about life with King Parven and Queen Kika. Navor had joined them in telling some stories as well. She had left out some details when telling them about going riding with Navor, feeling that some things were better left private.
“I want to know exactly how you escaped,” Sitnalta said to Gerald. “It must have been thrilling!”
“Actually,” Gerald said. “I cannot remember a time when I felt more scared. If it wasn’t for Ipsinki, I fear we would have all been killed. As it was...” he trailed off, not wanting to upset the Princess so soon after having been reunited.
"'As it was’ what?” Sitnalta asked. Her eyes narrowed. She could tell he was hiding something from her and she didn’t like it. “Is Ipsinki okay?”
“He is,” Aud said. She stroked Sitnalta’s hair down as she put the final touches on the braid. “When we left him, he was just fine.”
“I am so glad,” Sitnalta said in relief. “What happened?”
“It was Willem,” Gerald told her, a sad look came over his face as he remembered what had happened. “He was gravely wounded as he fought off Wilhelm’s guards. We got him out, but he never made it to the healer.”
For a moment, Sitnalta felt guilty about her relief that Ipsinki had survived. She had liked Willem. It was true that they had never been the best of friends, but she had found his tentative nature endearing. He had been only a couple of years older than her, and the fact that he had never gotten the chance to truly grow up pained her deeply.
“This is just one more thing that beast has to answer for,” Sitnalta said with venom in her voice. She looked up at Gerald and tried to show him that she was far from ready to give up. “I know that I told you that Prince Navor and I have been spending some time together
. Well, part of that time has been doing some research.”
“Oh?” King Gerald asked. He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.
“We think we know what happened to make Wilhelm the King of Colonodona.”
“As do I,” King Gerald said with a rueful smile. “He came and conquered us. We did not succeed in fighting him off.”
“Yes,” Navor chimed in. “But do you remember the actual battles? Can you actually tell me what happened in detail?”
“Er,” King Gerald stammered with a puzzled look on his face. “Actually, no. I can’t. It’s all a bit hazy.”
“Exactly,” Sitnalta said. “We think he used the coin to wish himself King. And any wish wished can be...”
“Undone,” Gerald murmured. He felt hope stirring in his chest and chuckled. “My goodness! If you are right about this...”
“We are!” Sitnalta exclaimed. “We know it!”
“How can you know this?” Aud asked.
“We’ve spoken with the wizard Kralc,” Navor said. “He was here. He’s gone off to research the coin. Even though he created it, a wish of this magnitude needs to be handled delicately.”
“Of course,” Gerald said. “But can’t he just use magic to obtain it and wish everything back the way it was?”
“Yes, but what would that mean?” Sitnalta asked. “If you say ‘I wish for everything to go back to the way it was’, how far back would that go? Would it just undo Wilhelm’s wish, or any wish made in Colonodona? Or maybe the world? How far back in time would that go? Who knows the true effects it would have. Kralc feels that the coin is simply too dangerous to go on existing. Yet destroying it would have the same effect as that wish. That’s why he needs to be cautious.”
Aud watched Sitnalta speak as she explained everything. Every time she spoke about wishes being undone, she noticed that the Princess kept looking at Prince Navor as if she were worried about something. She could tell that there was something Sitnalta wasn’t saying to them. It concerned her, but Aud thought she’d give her time to tell her when she was ready.
“This makes sense. Who knows what might come unraveled if we move in haste.” Gerald said.
Sitnalta felt a sense of peace as she realized that her family had believed her so readily. It felt good to know that they had such faith in her.
Chapter Sixteen
Catching Up
King Gerald and Queen Aud had been given a suite of rooms in the same wing as Princess Sitnalta. In the couple of weeks since they had arrived, the royal couple had spent quite a bit of time with the Princess outdoors, enjoying the garden and walking in the fresh air. This, added to the copious amounts of food provided for them, soon saw a healthy colour return to their cheeks. Sitnalta was delighted to see the two of them starting to look more and more like their old selves.
“Tell me,” Gerald said to Sitnalta as they sat on one of the stone benches along the winding garden path. “How are things between you and the Prince?” He stretched out his legs, and lifted his face to the sun, drinking in the fresh air.
“What do you mean?” Sitnalta asked. “We’re friends. He’s very nice.”
“Is that all?” He turned to her with a raised eyebrow. He had heard stories among Parven’s servants that there was much more going on between the two young people.
“Stop interrogating her,” Aud said with a smile.
“I’m not!” Gerald protested. “I merely asked one simple question. Can I not be curious? I care.”
Sitnalta sighed. “It’s a little bit complicated.”
“Oh? In what way?” Aud asked.
“I like him,” Sitnalta said. “But it’s more than that.”
“Do you love him?” Gerald cut in.
“Can we please talk about something else?” Sitnalta pleaded. As much as she loved Aud and Gerald, she didn't really want to discuss her feeling for the Prince with them, especially given how truly complicated the situation was for her. She didn't know how they would react, and wasn't sure she wanted to find out. “Actually, I need to go.” She jumped up off the bench and ran in the direction of the castle.
Aud inched closer to Gerald and put her hand on his lap. “I sensed she was leaving something out the night we first arrived here,” she told him.
“If that boy did anything to hurt her...” Gerald started to say in a low voice.
“Hush,” Aud said. “I don’t think it’s anything like that. I believe she’ll tell us in her own time.”
“If you’re certain,” Gerald said as he leaned into his wife’s shoulder. He let himself relax against her, trying to let go of all his worries.
“I am.” Aud smiled. She remembered being young once, though it had been a long time ago. In time, she knew the Princess would want to talk. Until then, she just needed to be patient.
* * *
Sitnalta ran through the forest. Her feet were bare, and her dress was torn and stained with mud. She ran as fast as she possibly could; fear spurring her on, although she wasn’t sure what she had to be afraid of. Everyone she loved was safe and with her at King Parven’s castle.
She ran, seeing the moon and the stars shining down between the leaves and branches in the trees above her. She knew exactly where she was and where she was headed. She recognized this part of the forest as being the area close to Najort’s cave, and knew she was going in the direction of her old friend’s home. She ran on, feeling her lungs burn with the exertion, and she felt her heart pounding in her breast. She was scared of what she would find when she finally reached her destination.
Sitnalta broke through the trees and stopped, gasping for breath as she looked on in horror. Kralc stood in the middle of the clearing, his eyes sparkling with a malevolent fire. A cauldron stood bubbling in front of him, the fire crackling below casting him in a demonic light.
“It is done,” he said. “The coin is no more.” He spread his arms out showing the Princess the scene that lay at his feet.
Sitnalta looked and saw Najort and Navor lying on the ground in lifeless heaps.
“No,” Sitnalta groaned. “You promised. You said there was another way.”
“And you believed me, you stupid little girl?”
Sitnalta rushed forward and knelt beside Najort. She bit back a sob as she stroked his hair back from his face. She turned and went to check on Navor. She planted a kiss on his temple.
“Please don’t be dead,” she whispered. She looked up at Kralc. “Bring him back!” she demanded.
“What’s done is done,” he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. The wizard turned in place and vanished, leaving Sitnalta alone in the clearing crying over her friends.
“This is a dream,” Sitnalta sobbed. “This isn’t real. I need to wake up. Please wake up. Please...”
* * *
Sitnalta awoke still crying. Her tears stained her pillowcase as she lay in her bed, the moon shining through her bedroom window. It had to have been a dream. Yet a part of her knew she would never be able to go back to sleep unless she knew that Prince Navor was all right.
She climbed out of bed, lit a candle, and pulled her robe around her before creeping out of her door. Sitnalta slowly made her way down the hall. She felt nervous about sneaking around the castle late at night. She knew that King Parven and Queen Kika had said she had the run of the castle, but she still felt that she should not be wandering so late at night. She finally made her way to Prince Navor’s room and cautiously knocked on the door.
She waited and got no response. Sitnalta tried to hold in her growing panic and knocked once more. She pressed her ear up against the door and heard someone shuffle around inside. She stepped back and watched the door open to reveal a sleepy, bleary-eyed Navor.
“Navor!” Sitnalta exclaimed. She threw her arms around him and kissed him.
“What’s going on?” Navor asked, pulling away.
“I’m sorry,” Sitnalta said. “I just had a horrible dream
. Kralc had destroyed the coin, and you were...I just needed to see you were okay.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” Navor said with a smile.
“I’m glad,” Sitnalta said sheepishly. “I’m sorry I woke you. You can go back to sleep now.”
“You don’t need to apologize.” Navor looked at her in her flowing nightgown. Even with her hair mussed, and her face red from her tears, she was a vision. He considered inviting her into his room, torn between desire and trying to be the proper gentleman he had been raised to be.
Sitnalta stood in front of the Prince, eyeing him in his pyjamas with his brown hair rumpled by sleep. She longed to reach out for him once more; fighting her desire, knowing that it would be thought of as being improper. “Can I come in and talk?” she asked. She felt her pulse quicken as she watched him think.
“As much as I want you to,” he said. “I don’t think we would do much talking. I don’t want to do anything we would regret in the morning.”
Sitnalta knew he was right. She was not thinking clearly. Her mind was still a jumble from the dream she had had. “You’re right,” she said. She stepped forward and kissed him once more. “Good night, Navor.” Sitnalta turned and made her way back to her room. She opened her door and stepped inside, nearly dropping her candle as she saw Aud sitting on her bed.
“I was awake getting myself some tea,” Aud said. “And I saw you wandering the halls.” She patted the spot beside her on the bed. “Sitnalta, I know there is something you are not telling me. Please, tell me what’s going on? I’m here for you. You used to tell me everything.”
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