Talen has her doubts about Fredlorn. She was walking around the woodlands one day, which is a forest that is much smaller than the Wilderness and it’s within the grounds of the city. It never meets the Wilderness forest. It’s always bright in there, even at night. She had come across two rabbits chasing each other. She made a comment about them being lovers having a quarrel. They spoke back to her. The conversation grew from there. Fredlorn was passing through when he heard her talking. He came upon her and saw the rabbits jumping over her lap. She was talking directly to them. They were responding with simple rabbit gestures but he knew it was related to what she was saying. He confronted Gavin and he had no choice but to admit that she can talk to animals. Fredlorn swore he’d keep the secret. However, judging by what happened now, what would stop him from saying that she can talk to Wilderness animals too? That is much more serious than talking to a rabbit.
Gavin walks into Fredlorn’s home. He finds his good friend lying on the bed writhing in pain. The Marksman is standing at the foot of the bed with a grim look.
“He needs a healer.”
“He is coming. I’ve never seen cauldysac poison react this way. It usually causes nausea, dizziness, and sometimes a rash, but he is burning up and the pain he is feeling doesn’t fall in line with this type of poison. I fear that beast was not entirely solid. It has been altered.”
Talen doesn’t waste time in visiting the library inside the palace. It’s open to anyone as long as you sign in with the king’s advisor who can always be found roaming the library. She is lucky that not many people come to the library. She doesn’t want anyone questioning her about her interest in the Wilderness beasts and the Masters. Such stuff is not often read by someone who isn’t pursuing a career as a Hunter or a mage.
Searching through countless titles, she finds nothing about the Masters and the Wilderness together. She sees the king’s advisor putting some books away. “Excuse me. I need to find a book that talks specifically about the Wilderness and the Masters.”
“The Marksman keeps that book in his private collection. He feared that one day someone might read it and get the wrong impression. The Wilderness is not a safe place.”
“Then let me see a book about the Masters.”
She has read a few books on the matter but they were always short reads. The only facts that were recorded about the Masters were: they live in a place called the Veiled Haven. It’s far from Dragmoore and is not easy to reach. They belong to an ancient magic. They can talk to any animal. The training process is long and brutal when it comes to certain animals. Only humans can be Masters. Once a Master trains to talk to an animal and vice versa, they can call upon any animal to aid them.
Talen has wanted to become a master animal trainer since she knew she could talk to animals.
“You don’t find it odd that the Marksman has a book that no one is allowed to read?”
“I don’t question many things. It’s why I’m still alive.” He grabs three books and hands them to her. “One was written by a brilliant scholar that illustrated the Wilderness beasts’ pictures. Another book was written by our king. And the third was written by me. Enjoy, Miss Dragniss.”
“Wait. I see one here written by the Marksman.”
“Well then, I’ll leave you to it.” He walks away.
She sits down and skims through the book written by the scholar. “Utter rubbish.” She moves onto the one written by the king. Right away she finds something interesting. “If the Masters have an ancient magic that comes from the earth’s core, then how can they possibly contain it inside their bodies? Unless they don’t.” She grows hungry for more. The book offers nothing more. She moves onto the one the advisor wrote. Pretty much the same as the other two. Disappointed, she glances over at the one the Marksman wrote. She opens it. Right away on the first page she reads a disturbing sentence. “I have seen enough to know that whoever crosses the Masters does so knowing that a darkness will fall upon them. Their souls shall be shattered. The Masters will feast upon the remains.” She sits back from the book. “The Marksman knows the Masters? How can that be? He never ventures far. I’ve stalked him before.”
The advisor is making his way over to her.
She flips through the pages until she comes to the last page. A few words written like they were done in a hurry. “The Masters have a separate source of energy that they aren’t allowed to tap into. That’s what keeps their magic together. Without that energy keeping them bound to its source, they’d lose control and destroy each other.”
“Satisfied yet?”
She drops the book. He quickly grabs it.
“I think you’ve read enough, Talen Dragniss.”
“I’ll come back and read this again.”
“There’s no need to.”
The advisor takes all the books and goes into a hidden room. A door that blends in with the walls is unknown to everyone except the king and the advisor. He puts the books on a table in the center of the room. There’s a bunch of things in here. A wooden dragon head figurine. A broom with a pink ribbon wrapped around its handle. A compass that is cracked. A white sheet stained with red streaks hanging from the ceiling. The advisor ducks back into the library, carefully shutting the hidden door.
Talen leaves the palace tempted to find the Marksman and ask him every burning question she has. Somehow persuade him to show her the book he has. One of the dressmakers calls out to her. A plump old lady with an apron around her. “I’m baking cookies.”
Talen is a sucker for cookies. She sniffs inside the shop. Oatmeal raisin. She licks her lips.
Chapter Two
A party and a funeral. Sometimes both in the same day.
The Hunters gather around the burial grounds just behind the palace and off to the side of the gardens. A glorious view of the ocean in the distance and tall trees makes for a calming backdrop for the deceased. Despite there being tons of space for more additions, adding even one more makes it feel overcrowded. The Hunters are always the first to attend the funeral for one of their own. Then family, friends, and the royal family will give their final farewell. A tradition that the first Hunter started. For the Hunters, giving up their old lives, embracing their new ones, they become each other’s family. They tend to feel even deeper than those who are blood related. They mumble a few words in unison. Gavin steps up to the stone altar where Fredlorn’s body lies. Dressed in his ceremonious Hunter gear which consists of grey leather and bare feet. The grey represents the soul. The bare feet represents the spirit that will run free in the afterlife. His bow and quiver lie across his chest with his hands wrapped around them. His Brimbar stallion weeps alongside them. He will never be ridden again.
“I cannot go after the beast, my friend… my brother. It did not come here to intentionally kill. But there are dark forces, dark beasts out there that will come for that purpose. I shall kill one in your honor. We do not seek revenge. We only seek honor and respect. We shall meet again, one day.” Gavin bends his head and kisses Fredlorn’s hands.
Gavin comforts Bessy with a hug.
One by one the other Hunters step up to the altar.
Guards always patrol the corridor outside the prince’s chambers. Where he is unlikely to be roaming the palace, the guards must always keep an eye on him. He did run away as a child. The pressure of being a royal constantly weighs heavily on him. His desire to be free in all things may never come to fruition, but he won’t behave like a good boy either.
Prince Remy is handsome, like most princes found in the best of dreams. His muscular body represents someone who looks after himself, as well as a healthy specimen for breeding. He isn’t unaware of these things. He knows he will be an excellent choice for one lucky lady. It’s finding that lady which irks him. He looks over the clothes that one of his servants laid out earlier. Tonight he is to attend a party to find a wife. He can marry another royal, a noble woman, or a commoner. The only restriction is that she needs to be from Dragmoore. The amount of w
omen close to his age is slim. He hardly interacts with anyone. Meeting a woman that he fancies enough to marry is not an easy task. He was inclined to argue with his father about it. He has never won an argument with the king. Why bother now? Turning twenty-five he feels he may have a chance to spread his wings a little. At least he is allowed to choose his wife. Whether he was being forced to marry or not, he will be expected to produce an heir right away. His father will be given two choices after that. Either step down and let the new and young rule, or continue to rule until his last breath. If it all turns ugly, Remy will run away. This time further from the city before any guards can catch up to him.
He looks at himself in the mirror a few times before deciding on his outfit. His dark hair comes down to the base of his skull. His eyes are the clearest and lightest of blue. He casts a flirtatious grin that has won him many female smiles. He has never acted on those smiles. That has branded him a coward. He has been called a coward on many fronts, but not bedding a woman yet is leading the list. He grips his bicep. He is perhaps the most satisfied by his strong arms. It is mandatory that a prince work amongst the farmers and builders to develop strong character and trust. Having the people’s love and trust is key to a successful rule. It also helped him get that fabulous body. He has been groomed for everything.
He chooses the dark-blue tunic and the yellow collared shirt.
His father’s loud voice comes down the corridor. Remy opens his bedroom door. “Father.”
“I want to have a few words with you.”
“What now?” Remy falls back onto his bed, kicks the clothes off.
“Tonight we have a special guest. Talen Dragniss.”
“Gavin’s daughter?”
“Yes. I am going to have her married before the end of spring. As I intend to have you married before then as well. But I want you to be kind to her. Help her find a suitable match. She is a pretty girl. She should have no trouble attracting a mate. Seeing that you are to rule one day, it is your job to ensure that the citizens of this city are happy.”
“Whoever said married people are happy people?”
“I say.”
The stern voice of his father makes him sit up to attention. “I suppose I can introduce her to a few friends of mine that are good men.”
“Good. And maybe she can find a wife for you.”
Remy has no idea who Talen is. He has only met a few of the farmers’ children. He doesn’t remember passing her either. For a brief moment, he thinks this is the way he will gain his father’s respect. The one thing he always wanted. If he helps Talen, the daughter of the man his father highly regards, then that will win him his father’s respect. He hopes.
“I am surprised that you didn’t arrange a marriage already.”
“She will not have it. I don’t want to anger Gavin. He is my best Hunter. And my best and dearest friend.” He gets caught in a memory for a second.
“I am surprised that you haven’t arranged a marriage for me.”
“And have you run away again like a scared little rabbit? I will not have you embarrass me again.”
“Then why don’t you just arrange a marriage between me and Talen? You satisfy your lust for Gavin, and you bring together two people that may produce a strong ruler for this city. She can’t object to marrying a prince.”
The king’s eyes light up.
“I was kidding.”
“No. You may have inspired me. Gavin’s strong bloodline mixing with my own will produce a strong ruler. But I can’t arrange the marriage. For both of your sakes. What say you hang out with her a bit? See if you like each other enough to get engaged.”
“You’ve gone mad.”
“If I have to arrange a marriage, I will. And you will marry whomever I choose.”
“For a brief moment you seemed human. I’m your only son. You can’t threaten me.”
“I can always produce another heir, if need be. Don’t ever leave me with that choice. All your pretty things can go poof.”
Remy’s love and connection to the kingdom has never been more unstable. To think his father would replace him.
“Get dressed.” The king opens the door and slams it behind him.
Remy strips down and rings the bell for the servant boy. He gets into the round bathtub and the servant comes in. “Hot water.”
“Yes, my prince.”
Ten minutes later, the servant comes in with a large jar full of steaming water. He pours it into the bathtub and the prince cringes from the heat. The servant leaves again. Comes back with another jar loaded to the top. “It’ll take a few trips. If you had rang earlier, I could have prepared it faster.”
“It’s enough to wash with. Come wash me, boy.”
“Yes, my prince.” The servant grabs a cloth from the wardrobe and wets it good in the bath water. He grabs a bar of soap sitting on the shelf behind the bathtub and lathers up the cloth. He starts with the prince’s back and rubs in a hard circular motion.
“Do you know of Talen Dragniss?”
“Yes, my prince.” He rubs down the prince’s chest.
“What do you think of her?”
“Pardon?”
“What do you think of her? Do you think she is fit for a prince?”
“Are you ready to take a lover?”
“That’s a bit cheeky to ask me. But, it is not for my own personal desires that I ask. My father thinks her and I should marry.”
“I’ve known Talen a long time and I do not think she would marry a royal or anyone of noble birth.”
“What kind of men does she prefer?”
The servant stops near the prince’s private area. Remy takes the cloth and finishes cleaning himself.
“I’d say she prefers a man not attached to his profession.”
“What kind of man is that?”
“One that can leave in a blink and go wherever, whenever he pleases.”
“I aspire to be that kind of man. Sadly, if I run away again, my father will skin me.”
“He’ll send the Hunters. You won’t outrun or outsmart them.”
Remy’s eyes sparkle. An idea has formed. “Maybe Talen could. Her father is their leader.”
“They have no leader.”
“She could help me escape.”
“Don’t break her heart, sire. She’s a good girl.”
“Do you fancy her?”
The servant blushes.
“Ah, you do. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Fetch me my robe.” He entertains the thought of having Talen for his own pleasures. “Perhaps I will like her enough to stay at home and get married.”
Talen looks at herself in the mirror at the back of the dressmaker’s shop who caters to the commoners. The king insisted that she go to the dressmaker who dresses the nobles and the royal family. She doesn’t see a difference in the material. She is wearing a sky blue dress with white and black pearls along the top of the dress and under the breastbone which connect forming a crisscross shape in the middle.
“Something must be done with your hair, child,” one of the dressmakers says.
“Helga, you do hair well,” another dressmaker says.
“Take a seat,” Helga says. She’s a sweet old thing. Always wears a smile. Always looks content with her profession and her life.
Talen sits down on a wooden stool and Helga goes to work. She sweeps up Talen’s hair and brushes it with a boar bristle hair brush. It’s badly knotted. Talen tries to pull forward from Helga pulling down. “Helga, I have plans to leave this place soon.”
“Your hair should be brushed often.”
“There’s never a need. I am a farmer’s daughter.”
“Do you think you’ll like Prince Remy? We heard that he is to show you off tonight, but there’s a rumor that he is interested in meeting you for a different reason.”
“What’s there to like? He’s a spoiled little monster. I could send a chicken to attack him and he’d probably jump out of his skin.”
&nb
sp; “Chickens can be fierce.” She wraps Talen’s hair around itself a few times until it forms a neat bun. She secures it with a silver hair comb and ties a white ribbon around the bun. “There.”
“It looks good. Thanks.”
“Where are you going? You said you are leaving.”
Talen hops down off the stool. “I’m going to find the Masters. I want to tame all the animals in the world.”
“That isn’t meant for people like you. And they don’t tame animals. They possess their souls.”
“Oh, pssh, you’re reading too much into myths and legends.”
“She’s right,” the other dressmaker says.
“I am not like the people here. Take care. Thanks again for the lovely dress and new hairdo.”
Talen comes out of the shop wearing a smile. She feels very girly but she likes it. The few men that have tried to do more than kissing her only ended up feeling the end of her fist. Tonight can be different. Maybe someone will ask to marry her. Maybe she will say yes. If she says yes, will they move out of the city with her? That’s the only way she’s marrying someone from Dragmoore. They must be willing to relocate. She notices her father talking with the Marksman near the blacksmith. The two end the conversation abruptly when they catch sight of her.
The Marksman charges for her. He takes her right around the back of the dressmaker shop and pushes her against its wall. “Do you realize what danger you have put yourself in? How you may have compromised the Hunters? Not to mention you have caused one of their deaths. What am I to do with you, Talen? You’re ruining everything that I’ve built.”
“I suspect that everyone knows I can talk to animals now.”
“They are going to paint you as a servant of the ancient magic. I will keep your secret. Don’t make me regret doing so.”
“I’m leaving anyway.”
He gives her a scornful look. “Talen, your father will suffer for that.”
“I don’t care. He doesn’t care about me. He’s okay with marrying me off to someone because the king says so. As crazy as the king is, he could marry me off to the prince. I know he wants his son married. Can you imagine that? Me marrying Prince Remy?”
Heir of Dragmoore- The Veiled Haven Page 3