As he bathed, he thought about the king and hoped that his influence would be enough to keep them from war. He knew if the king grew to trust him he could help him achieve greatness in Avalon once again. The prospect of watching Leonetta rule over Avalon and bring the grain back to the fields excited Holland, and he hurried through his bath, ready for conversations with the king.
He dressed in clean clothing that had been brought up and looked in the mirror at his fresh face and hair. His clothes bespoke that of a nobleman, and he smiled at the thought of burning his old, worn out and dirty beggar’s clothes. Guards were now at his door, and he nodded at them as they stood at attention. He wasn’t used to the life of a commander, and it bothered him that someone was risking their life to keep him safe. He patted the guard on the shoulder and moved through the castle to the king’s chambers.
He stood outside of the king’s door, knowing that when he exited, it would bring a new day for the seven realms and for Avalon.
Chapter Eight: Visions of the Dead
Leonetta sighed as she kissed the young boy in front of her on the forehead and handed him an apple. As acting queen, she wasn’t able to make any major changes, but she was still responsible for the welfare of the kingdom. Early that morning, Leonetta had ordered that reparations be gathered and asked that the carriers of the sanctuary escort her into the town of Thorne to give out food and coin to the needy. The coin had been denied, but there were trailer loads of corn and apples that were handed out as Leonetta walked through the dusty streets. As she approached the orphanage that had become overrun in the last few marks, she paused to talk to the children.
Their dirty clothes and mud covered cheeks answered any question she had as to whether the Crown had been taking care of their lost and forgotten. The hot sun beat down on her golden hair, yet she refused the knights’ attempts to move her into the shade. She turned and looked back at the palace, hoping for word from her father by the time she returned. As she signaled the brigade to move forward, a whoosh of air blew through the alleyways, and she looked up as a large, shimmering blue dragon flew across the sky and toward the castle. Leonetta signaled to Ashia and the head of the guards.
“Let’s return to the castle. I feel there may be word from my father.”
Ashia and the guard nodded and helped Leonetta up onto her horse. Her golden hair looked almost white next to her shimmering gold crown, and her eyes sparkled vibrantly. The white coat of the horse, paired with the light blue sashes that adorned it, created a look of royalty the princess hadn’t had in a long time. She usually stayed put on the castle grounds, and when she did find the need to venture into Thorne, she would adorn a long, red cloak, the hood pulled up to hide her identity.
She began moving at a slow trot through the streets, but as the town began to wither into abandoned homes and buildings, she picked up the pace, anxious to find out about her mother and her love. The guards opened the gates to the castle grounds quickly enough for her to keep her speed all the way into the stables. The young towheaded stable boy smiled and bowed as he took the reins of the horse and helped Leonetta down. She smiled back at the boy before walking quickly into the castle and down the halls to the meeting room, where Ardontis stood watch while Leonetta was in the town.
“Well?” she said breathlessly as she walked into the room. “What word have we acquired?”
“Same as before, My Lady,” Ardontis spoke, surprised by her excitement. “Why did you think otherwise?”
“Well,” Leonetta said, looking out the window, “I saw a dragon fly in, so I thought…Ardontis, the suspense is killing me!”
“As a queen,” Ardontis spoke carefully as he approached Leonetta, “you will need to learn to exercise restraint. I have seen Hands whisper the gravest news to a queen during an event and their expression never changes. They never bolt out of the room or act nervous. Poise and posture must be learned, and quickly.”
“You would think by now my heart would be hardened by these things,” she said quietly. “Death never seems to get easier.”
“That is what makes you the future Queen of Queens, Your Grace.” Ardontis sat back down and shuffled through papers, slightly unnerved from not being in his dark room in the underlay of the city.
“I suppose,” she said, looking down into the yard and spotting a young boy she recognized from the day she bid everyone farewell. He lifted his fingers to his lips as to motion a secretive mission.
“Something wrong, Your Grace?” Ardontis asked after noticing her studying something out the window.
“Oh,” she said, spinning around, “nothing, just drifting off into a daydream. I’m going to take a walk and get some air. Fetch me if you hear word?”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Ardontis rose and bowed from behind the table, watching Leonetta as she walked quickly from the room. He wandered curiously to the window and gazed out at the boy standing in the grass below, unaware of prying eyes.
Both excitement and fear surged through Leonetta as she took the curves of the hallway absentmindedly. If a shifter was here, then that meant Holland had sent word. And if Holland sent word, that meant he was still alive, though she wasn’t sure how he could have managed to get a shifter out of the camp with Oedipus watching everything.
As Leonetta approached the doors to the sanctuary, she slowed her pace, not wanting to look too anxious, when she met with the shifter. She walked down the stairwell carefully and bowed her head as the boy lowered his, reaching his hands out. She looked down at the small piece of cloth wrapping in his hand and slid her hand over it quickly to avoid prying eyes. He turned and walked beside Leonetta as she opened the cloth and sighed, holding the pendant against her chest.
“What of Lady Mary?” she asked in a whisper. “And Gillian? Did they go to war?”
“My Lady,” the boy said, stopping and turning to her, “that is all I have for you. Holland will be back soon. I bid you farewell.”
Leonetta smiled slightly in understanding and stood quietly as she watched the boy run off toward the castle gates. She looked down at the pendant, running her fingers over it, hoping to get some sort of warmth from Holland. Instead, a flash of memory hit her hard, and she bent over, grabbing her head. As her vision cleared, she looked down at the pendant, remembering her ability to recall memories from objects. She had only done it one other time, but from the flashes of memory she just witnessed, it seemed it might be time again.
“My Lady?” Ashia’s voice whispered behind Leonetta. “Are you okay?”
“Ashia,” Leonetta said, turning quickly and excitedly toward her Hand, “I need you to do something quietly. Fetch me two stones from the sanctuary, some lavender, cool water, and have a guard stationed at my door.”
“Yes, My Lady,” Ashia said, turning and rushing back into the palace. Leonetta looked up at the sky, intrigued by this realization. If no one would tell her what happened then, she would find out herself.
She slowly walked toward the castle, into the hallways, and toward her room. Leonetta kept a casual look as she walked as to not alert anyone to anything out of the ordinary. She knew if her father found out she was using fae magic, she would be in trouble.
The guard bowed his head as he stood at attention, and Leonetta smiled sweetly before entering her chambers and closing the door behind her. She clicked the lock and tugged the door for good measure. Once she was sure the door was secure, she turned to Ashia, who was arranging the items as if she already knew what Leonetta was planning.
“How did you know?” Leonetta asked.
“Growing up, I had a friend who was a fae,” Ashia spoke quietly. “She would do this kind of magic sometimes. Though I worry for you, My Lady. It took much of her strength.”
“I will be okay,” Leonetta reassured Ashia. “I promise.”
Ashia took a step back as Leonetta removed her clothing and stood naked in front of the pedestal, holding her charms. She arranged the stones side by side and washed her hands in the lavender water. She then pla
ced the pendant in front of the stones and dripped the lavender water onto it. As the drops slipped from her fingertips and splashed against the metal, hissing sounds released, followed by a spark of red light. Leonetta closed her eyes and began to chant the language of the fae.
The words escaped her lips quickly and with ease, and her eyes opened, revealing two completely white orbs. The enchantment continued to flow from Leonetta almost as a whisper in the wind. She reached her hand down and pressed a finger against the pendant, and Ashia watched as red light moved up Leonetta’s arm. When it reached her face, her head swung backward, and light exploded from her.
Leonetta watched as images appeared and disappeared in her mind. They were memories from Holland, and they showed everything from Holland’s childhood to time he spent with Leonetta. Voices echoed through her ears, but they were mashed together, and all she could understand were flints of laughter and cries of sorrow. Slowly, the memories began to stabilize, and she caught a glimpse of a sword, Holland’s sword, connecting with Oedipus’ head. The memory then switched, and she saw Holland’s hands and his vision looking out over the army who was kneeling before him. As her strength began to wane, Holland’s memory fixated on the body of a woman lying dead on the ground. As the silken cloths moved up the dirty, woven gown, Lady Mary’s still face flashed in the foreground.
Leonetta gasped before all the light rescinded and darkness overtook her. She didn’t know how long she had been lying there, but as consciousness began to come back to her, she could hear Ashia’s voice as if she were miles away. Her voice gradually became louder and louder until Leonetta slowly opened her eyes.
“My Lady!” Ashia exclaimed. “Are you okay?”
“What happened?” she mumbled, feeling the cold stone floor beneath her.
“There was so much light, My Lady,” Ashia said, helping Leonetta sit up. “And then you passed out. Though only for a moment. Can I get you something?”
Leonetta sat there for a moment, gathering her thoughts and replaying the memories she just saw. Her heart ached as the vision of her Lady Mary came back into her mind. Holland had killed Oedipus, and Lady Mary was dead. How could this have happened?
As soon as the strength to stand came back to her, she slowly made her way to the door, stabilizing herself on the wall. She had to talk to Ardontis, and fast. She turned to Ashia, who still looked shaken.
“Please dispose of this and put the pendant under my pillow,” Leonetta asked. “I will be in the sanctuary.”
“Yes, My Lady,” Ashia answered, watching as a wave of sadness fell over her future queen.
Leonetta moved as fast as she could through the halls, keeping one hand on the wall as she walked. The enchantment had drained her severely, but she knew Ardontis would know what to do. The Lady Mary was dead, and so was the future king. This was something that she had not expected but, the death of Oedipus played well into her future plans to be queen. She rounded the hallway and entered quickly into the sanctuary where Ardontis was lighting the candles for evening mass.
He turned as Leonetta entered and rushed forward, catching her just as her legs buckled beneath her. Ardontis led Leonetta to the pew beside them and studied her pale face. He focused on her eyes and noticed the color seeping back into her pupils. He patted her hand and pulled a small box from his robe.
“You shouldn’t do fae magic without a guide,” he chastised, opening the box and setting a small chocolate-covered nut into her hand. “Eat this; it will bring you strength.”
Leonetta popped the small nut into her mouth, only pausing for a moment as she remembered her father telling her to never take food that had not been tested for poison. Ardontis squinted at her as if he could read her mind, and she chewed quickly, already feeling the strength surging back through her body. She took a deep breath and leaned against the wooden pew.
“Your Grace,” Ardontis spoke quietly, “I thought we talked about you being careful…”
“Oedipus is dead,” Leonetta said, cutting Ardontis off, “and so is the Lady Mary.”
“Are you sure?” Ardontis asked, keeping a straight face and placing his hands in his lap.
“My visions showed Lady Mary dead on the ground,” Leonetta said sadly. “And Oedipus’ head being removed by the sharp cut of the sword.”
“Surely, we would be at war by now then,” he said, standing up.
“It was not the enemy that took Oedipus’ life,” Leonetta stated a bit louder. “It was Holland.”
Ardontis whirled around, his face fighting to reveal his emotion. He took a step forward and grabbed on to Leonetta’s hand. He stared at her hard as if he was trying to decide what truth lay behind these statements. Ardontis was drawn from the gaze at the sound of a guard approaching. The tall, armored man bowed, handing Ardontis a rolled piece of parchment with the seal of Allenforth stamped on its closure.
He unrolled the parchment and slowly read the letter. Leonetta could see the scribbled handwriting of her father, and she waited patiently for the news. Ardontis looked up at Leonetta and folded the paper, sticking it into his pocket.
“It seems you were right,” Ardontis said, stepping back into the aisle. “At least about Lady Mary. Begone to your chambers. We are to prepare the castle for mourning. The lady and your king arrive back in two days’ time.”
Leonetta bowed her head and turned toward the door, trying to fight the emotion overtaking her. Ardontis watched as she walked from the sanctuary and turned into the halls of the castle. He walked over and closed the large sanctuary doors before taking the paper from his pocket and unfolding it. He skimmed through the words once again and stopped at the last two sentences:
When the mourning is complete, we ready for war with Gillian. Commander Holland will lead our troops into victory.
Chapter Nine: The Blossoms of the Garden
Holland shifted in his stance, the ceremonial armor weighing heavily on his shoulders. Now back in human form after the long journey back to Thorne, exhaustion was pulling at him with every step. He looked out from the balcony of the sanctuary in the garden below, the moon shining high and bright in the sky. The shadows from the candles lining every pathway along the garden cast dancing movements across the blossomed fields of fertility below him. The ceremony for Lady Mary was to be held in the moonlight, a tradition of the people of Avalon in reverence to the goddess of the night. They believed her shadow would find that of Lady Mary’s in the garden night and lead her to the afterlife.
Across the garden, close to the castle borders, a platform had been erected and covered with hundreds of candles flickering wildly. Upon a table laid the body of the lady, covered in flowing white silk and laden with petals of peony. Her hands were crossed over her stomach, and two painted stones covered her eyes, her golden crown resting comfortably on her bosom. She would stay in the garden after the ceremony until daybreak, and then she would be laid to rest in the tomb of the Queens of Avalon, next to the king’s first wife.
Holland would stay at the top of the Sanctuary balcony, watching guard over the royal procession. He watched impatiently, wanting so badly to see Leonetta’s face after having been kept away by his new duties as commander since he had arrived back in Thorne. He had been led straight into his new chambers and given details of the events to follow.
As flutes began to play quietly across the garden, Holland stood tall, watching as the royals walked solemnly toward the Lady Mary. King Osiris led the procession, Leonetta walking regally beside him, her head held high, no expression on her face. She looked different somehow, like she had aged ten years since he was last with her. She no longer looked like the young princess, but now looked like a queen.
The ceremony was not a long event, and after a word from Ardontis, the people each took a moment to pray in front of Lady Mary. Each person placed one sanctuary stone along the path to the castle, a ritual meant to help Lady Mary’s spirit find her way to the Goddess of the Night. When the last person had said their prayer, Leonetta st
ood and walked to the podium, where she lit the last candle, bowed her head, and then turned toward the castle, glancing up at Holland as she walked.
Butterflies settled in Holland’s stomach as his eyes met with Leonetta’s, a look of sadness covering her face. He nodded at her and watched as she climbed the steps and entered the castle, where she would be escorted to the Hall of Spirits, the place that all of their large gatherings commenced. It was traditional to have a large feast with music and laughter to celebrate the life of the lady as she lay in the light of the moon. This would be the first large event Holland had ever attended at the castle, and he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
As he made his way to the Hall, several of the guests nodded in reverence, whispering as Holland walked. Word of his valor had spread almost instantly, and, where whispers of dismay used to sit were now whispers of admiration. The servant girl at the front bowed as Holland approached and led him to the front of the room, where he was surprised to find that he would be sitting next to the king. On the other side of him was Ardontis, who rose as Holland took his seat.
“Your Faith,” Holland said, bowing his head, “your robes are different. Much more valiant. I say it fits you.”
“Yes,” Ardontis said, laughing. “Though, I say I much prefer my old brown ones. I am not much for the limelight. It’s never good to outshine the commander.”
Holland smirked slightly and followed Ardontis’ gaze down the table to Leonetta, who was sitting quietly, watching the crowd eat and drink. Her expression was serious but not as sad as Holland had expected. He turned back as Ashia filled his cup with wine and curtsied. The four of them ate quietly, different notions of life flitting through their minds.
After the plates had been cleared, the sound of strings floated through the Hall, and Holland shifted slightly as the entirety of the room looked up toward the table. He had a feeling something was supposed to happen, but he didn’t know what. Ardontis slowly leaned over.
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