The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

“Dracia, wait,” said Leal as he walked forward and grabbed her hand. “Malven can go fetch Roderick and Galen and ask them to come here while you and I dress. You need a moment to collect your thoughts, and I believe it might be less of an awkward experience during such a trying time.”

Dracia nodded, knowing that Leal was right.

“Malven, would you mind going and notifying Galen and Roderick they are to come here as soon as they can? I believe you know where you can find them,” said Leal.

“Yes, your majesty. I shall go now,” said Malven as he opened the door and left the room.

Dracia walked over to her trunk to find her clean Sentinel uniform to put on, figuring the black would be appropriate. “We will still need to leave for Winsdell as soon as we can,” said Dracia as she pulled out her black dress and pants.”

“I agree, but we will need to make sure everything is settled here and that you are able to ride,” said Leal looking down at her leg.

“I shall be fine to ride whenever. After resting last night, it is only slightly swollen this morning and a little stiff. We can leave today with Galen and Roderick and a small force of Elites. The rest of the group from the Sentinel can follow soon. I will need to be there to support Galen and Roderick, as well as check in with the Sentinel. You will need to meet with my brothers and the rest of the court.”

Leal nodded as Dracia pulled on her pants and slipped on her dress.

“Would you mind helping me?” she asked as she moved her hair to the side.

Leal walked over and buttoned up Dracia’s dress. “I suppose this will change Roderick’s life,” said Leal as he finished the last button. “He is now the Lord of Low Hill.”

Dracia turned and looked at Leal. She had not thought of it. She had been dreading telling Roderick and Galen the sad news. She had been thinking of their poor mother alone in her grief. She had not stopped to think what this would mean for Roderick.

“You are right, Leal,” said Dracia. “This will change everything for him. I will need to find a new second at some point.”

“What do you mean?” asked Leal.

“Roderick will need to step down as an Elite to take his place as lord,” said Dracia.

“You can’t think he will do that as long as you still serve, and with the kingdom and you in such danger right now,” said Leal.

“He will have to,” said Dracia. “His mother has already lost one son. I will not have her lose another.”

“Dracia,” started Leal, but he was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Leal looked at her, and she nodded at him before he walked over and answered the door to find Galen and Roderick both standing outside.

“Is something wrong?” asked Roderick as he walked in. “Are you alright, Dracia?”

“I am as well as I can be, Roderick. I would like both you and Galen to have a seat, please,” said Dracia.

They both sat on the sofa, and Dracia picked up the letter from the table in front of them. She stood by the fireplace, looking at both Roderick and Galen. She had given news like this before to families about lost Elites, but as she looked at both of the men before her whom she cared deeply for, she found it hard to form the words.

“Would you like me to start?” asked Leal quietly as he stood by Dracia’s side.

“No, I should do this,” she said as she took a deep breath. “Roderick, Galen, we have had some bad news from Winsdell. The village has been attacked by a large Navalian force, led by Darron and several other disgraced Elites.”

“When did this happen?” asked Roderick.

“Four days ago. An Elites rode hard the past two days to bring us the message as soon as he could. The Sentinel was able to drive the force out of Winsdell, but not before we suffered heavy losses. Much of the village was destroyed or damaged, and several villagers have been killed.”

Dracia took a breath as Galen and Roderick looked at one another. She felt tears sting at her eyes as she walked over and sat down next to Roderick in a chair. She reached out and took his hand.

“A few lower lords of the court were killed,” said Dracia before she swallowed and took a shaky breath. “I am afraid your brother was one of them. Lord Alaric Ellis was killed four days ago in the battle.”

Roderick took his hand away from Dracia and sat back as Galen leaned forward and put his head in his hands.

“Are you sure?” asked Roderick, not sounding like himself at all.

“Yes, I am sad to say it is true,” said Leal as he moved closer to Roderick and Galen. “You may read the message if you wish.”

Dracia handed Roderick the letter as Galen looked up from his hands. He looked over Roderick’s shoulder and read the letter with his brother. When he was done, Roderick threw the letter on the table, and stood up. He walked to the fireplace and leaned on the mantle, next to Leal.

“Roderick, there is nothing I could say that would help, I know, but I am truly sorry,” said Leal.

Roderick nodded and then shook his head. “He was such an idiot. Alaric was always a fool who wasn’t worth much, but he was my brother.”

“I suppose we have no word on our mother?” asked Galen.

“No, but I believe my brother would have said something had anything happened to Lady Glain. He knows how important you both are to me. We will leave for Winsdell as soon as we can, hopefully later today. I will get you to your mother as quickly as I can,” said Dracia.

“You shouldn’t be riding so soon after you hurt your leg,” said Roderick as he turned and looked at Dracia. “Galen and I can ride out today, while you rest here for another day or two.”

“No,” said Dracia standing up. “I will go with you to support you both and your mother.” Dracia walked over to Roderick, and he turned to look at her. “You know how important you are to me, Roderick, both you and Galen. I cannot let you go alone. You would never leave me alone in any time of need. We will leave today, together. I will do whatever I have to, to make it so. The king can stay behind if need be.”

“This is not a time to be stubborn, Dracia,” said Roderick firmly. “We don’t know what could be out there in the kingdom, waiting for us as we travel. I will not have you put in danger because of me.”

“And I will not have you and Galen travel alone, suffering by yourselves,” said Dracia.

Roderick put his hands on his head and rubbed his temples with his eyes closed. “Please don’t do this,” he said quietly. “If I know you are here safe, it will make the journey a little more bearable.”

Dracia felt a few tears fall from her eyes. She couldn’t let them go alone. She had to be with them both. She had to be there for Roderick. After all they had been through together, she could not leave him, not now. She looked at Leal.

“We will all go today,” said Leal. “We can take a group from the Sentinel Elites stationed here, and travel quickly. I need to get to Winsdell and oversee the kingdom from the High Palace. We will leave some Elites here to tend to Westmoria, and tell Lord Owin to follow with the Siccarian force in a few days. I will go see about having Ethen and the others awakened so we may get an early start. I will be back shortly.”

Leal left the room, leaving Dracia standing next to Roderick as she looked down at Galen. “Would you two like me to leave as well?” she asked.

“No, I would not like it. Not yet,” said Roderick as he looked up at her with a sad smile. “This is your room, your majesty. If Galen and I would like privacy, we should find our own rooms.”

Dracia grinned a little. “I do not mind you staying here as long as you like. Is there anything I can get either of you? A drink or some food?”

“I do not require anything. Galen, do you need something?” asked Roderick.

“No, I am only thinking of our mother at the moment,” said Galen as he looked up at Roderick. “I did care for Alaric, but mother is all alone now.”

“You will be with her soon,” said Dracia as she walked over and sat down by Galen. “She will be overjoyed to see both of you after believing you were both gone forever. I know it will be the perfect balm for her grieving soul.”

“What will happen, now?” asked Galen. “Roderick will be the lord, won’t her?”

Roderick looked at his brother with narrowed eyes as Dracia watched. Roderick shook his head. “I don’t want to think on it now, not with our brother barely gone. I am sure we will work something out. Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity for you to be the lord the king has promised, Galen.”

“I will not take your rightful place, brother,” said Galen. “You will be the Lord of Low Hill. It is the correct order of things.”

Roderick looked like he would argue, but Dracia stood back up and walked to Roderick. “You should not worry about it at this point. All will become clear later. Right now, lets just focus on getting you home and to your mother.”

Roderick nodded as Galen stood up. “I need to go speak with Lexine. She was awoken when I left. She will want to know the news,” said Galen.

Dracia decided to skip over the part of Lexine being awoken with Galen. “Yes, go tell her. I am sure she will want to travel with us,” said Dracia.

Galen bowed awkwardly and the left the room, leaving Dracia and Roderick alone.

“Should you go to Selene and let her know? Was she not awoken by Malven summoning you?” asked Dracia.

Roderick gave her a real smile. “You know about it, do you?” asked Roderick.

“I happened to be out in hallway with Leal last night. We accidently observed you both for a moment,” said Dracia.

“It seems she is a deep sleeper. I left her very contently still in bed. I do not wish to wake her just yet,” said Roderick.

“You will have to soon. She will want to travel with us, and I am sure you will want her support,” said Dracia.

“This just doesn’t seem real,” said Roderick as he stood up straight and let out a breath. “I have never been close to Alaric, but to think of never seeing him again doesn’t seem possible.”

“It is a shock,” said Dracia. “It is understandable that you don’t know how to feel. I am sure once we get to Winsdell and you see your mother, you will feel your grief.”

“I meant it when I said he was an idiot, Dracia. He has always been very close to useless,” said Roderick.

“But as you said, he is still your brother,” said Dracia. “You still care for him.”

They were quiet for a few moments, Dracia not knowing what to do beside stand by Roderick and just be there. He finally looked at her with concern.

“If we are going to ride today, you should not be on your leg for so long. Come sit down for a moment,” said Roderick as he took her hand and led her to the sofa.

“I am fine, Roderick,” said Dracia as she sat down with him. “You do not need to think of me right now.”

“I am sorry I seemed angry when you said you wanted to go with us back to Winsdell. I shouldn’t have acted that way,” said Roderick. “Its just the thought of losing you is too much. If losing Alaric feels like this, I can’t imagine how I would stand losing you.”

“You will not lose me, Roderick. I will help get you through this, and then I will find a way to always nose my way into your life,” said Dracia with a small smile.

“You will not have to nose your way in, Dracia. For one you are my queen, and for another I will always want to be as close to you as I can,” said Roderick.

Dracia leaned over and put her head on Roderick’s shoulder as he put his arm around her. “I never want to be without you,” she said softly.

“And you never will,” said Roderick as he kissed the top of her head.

They left for Winsdell by mid-morning, Leal having left instructions for restoring Westmoria, and when the Siccarian forces and the rest of the Sentinel should travel. Dracia rode besides Roderick with Galen on her other side. The days were quiet and somber with few breaks and little rest. Dracia found herself tired and her stomach unsettled again. After lunch one day she walked away from the group as she felt like retching. She moved behind some trees and bent over with her eyes closed, trying to settle her stomach.

“Dracia, are you ill?” asked Selene as she walked over and put her hand on Dracia’s back.

“I don’t believe so,” said Dracia as she took breaths. “I think maybe the stress of travel and grief is getting to me. I have felt fine, only a little tired, and my stomach has been unsettled at times.”

“How long has this been going on?” asked Selene as Dracia stood up, feeling as though she might keep her food from coming up after all.

“Off and on for a few weeks. I thought I had gotten the better of it after we arrived at the summer palace, but I suppose this news of Winsdell has touched my nerves again. I have never experienced anything like this before,” said Dracia as she held her stomach for a moment and took a breath.

“Perhaps Galen could give you something to settle your stomach?” asked Selene.

“No, I do not wish to trouble him right now. I am already feeling better. I am sure once we are in Winsdell and settled, I will be fine,” said Dracia as she started to walk back.

Selene grabbed her hand and stopped her. “I want you to know you can talk to me, Dracia,” said Selene kindly. “I know what it is like to have to appear strong to others, especially men, but I don’t want you to feel that way around me. I believe you and I will become very close friends, and I want you to feel comfortable telling me anything.”

Dracia smiled a little at Selene. “I think you and I will be very close as well, Selene, and I want you to know I am happy about it. He is one of the finest men I know, and I believe you are well suited for him. I believe he needs your high spirits and care in his life.”

“You are too good to speak so of me,” said Selene. “But I appreciate it. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I don’t believe choosing Roderick will be one of them.”

“It will not,” said Dracia.

“Will you not give me one of your scary High Captain stares and tell me I better not hurt him in some way?” asked Selene with a slight laugh.

“You already know how protective I am of Roderick, but I am becoming very fond of you as well. I will only say, I hope you are both good to each other,” said Dracia. “Now, we should join the others before they worry.”

“You are sure you are well, Dracia?” asked Selene.

“Yes, I am sure. I promise to let you know if I believe otherwise,” said Dracia as she squeezed Selene’s hand and let it go.

Dracia did not sleep well at night while they traveled. As she slept next to Leal in a simple canvas tent, and her sleep was often disturbed with strange dreams and nightmares. She wasn’t sure what she had dreamed as they would disappear from her mind as soon as she woke up, but many of them terrified her to the point she found she did not want to sleep. She would lay in Leal’s arms at night and try to keep her eyes from closing, only sleeping when it became impossible to resist.

At the middle of the fourth day, they rode through the snow covered hills of Winsdell and into the village. Dracia nearly wept seeing her town so affected. Many of the stores’ windows were broken, their roofs partially burnt. Several small, tidy houses had been destroyed, they looked like piles of rocks instead of the happy homes they once were. Village folks were out on the street working. They stopped and stared as Dracia rode by with the others. Many bowing or curtseying, a few looking on with defiance and disgust.

Did some villagers blame her for their misfortune? Perhaps they thought if their new king had married the Navalian princess as planned, their village would have been safe. She could not blame them. How could they know what had truly happened? What did her happiness or worries have to do with their lives? All many of her people knew was their homes were destroyed, and they had lost their husbands or wives, or the gods forbid, children. While it had happened, the king had been absent, and the High Captain lost, accused of murdering the king of the very kingdom that attacked them.

They rode on to the High Palace to find it mostly untouched. The outer wall was missing some stone, but for the most part the palace looked as it always did. Dracia looked up at the towers, knowing this place was now truly her home. She rode up to the front of the palace with Leal and stopped. She waited for him to come over to help her down. Her leg was stiff and sore, and she was very tired. She would not mind her husband’s arm to lean on.

She slid down into Leal’s arms to see her brothers waiting for her outside the door, and to her surprise Lady Glain as well.

“Dracia,” said Colm coming forward and meeting Dracia and Leal. “How good it is to see you. You as well, your majesty.”

“It is good to be home, such as it is,” said Leal. “I am very sorry for all you have had to endure in my absence.”

“We have done what we can,” said Colm. “The village is being cleaned up with the help of what palace guard we can spare. The lords houses that were damaged are being taken care of. The house of Low Hill is not heavily damaged, but I invited Lady Glain to stay in the palace until her sons arrived. I believe it is what you would have wanted, sister.”

“Yes, it is,” said Dracia as she watched Lady Glain embrace Galen as she cried. “I thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

“We should go in and let you rest, my queen,” said Leal as she pulled Dracia towards the palace.

“Wait one moment, Leal,” said Dracia as she let go of his arm.

She walked over to Lady Glain who had let go of Galen and was standing quietly talking to Roderick.

“Lady Glain,” said Dracia as she walked up to the woman. “I hope you will accept my condolences on the loss of your son.”

Lady Glain looked at Dracia with tears in her eyes and then bowed. “Of course, your majesty. I thank you.”

“You are welcomed to stay here in the palace as long as you like with your sons,” said Dracia.

“We will stay tonight, but tomorrow I wish to go home with the new Lord of Low Hill,” said Lady Glain as she looked at Roderick.

“Of course,” said Dracia. “If there is anything else you need, please let me know.”

“You are too good, your majesty,” said Lady Glain with an edge to her voice.

Roderick gave Dracia a small apologetic smile as she slightly shook her head at him. Lady Glain was grieving, and Dracia did not know how much the woman knew of the truth. Perhaps she blamed Dracia for Lord Alaric’s death in some way. Maybe she was tired of Dracia taking her other sons away from her. Whatever the reason she may have had for her displeasure with Dracia, Dracia would not judge the grieving mother.

Dracia turned and walked with Leal into the palace and up to his room on the second floor.

“I apologize, your majesty,” said Colm as he and Kellen walked with them. “We have not had time to see to the king’s and queen’s rooms being cleaned and changed for your arrival.”

“It is no bother, Colm,” said Leal. “I believe the queen and I will be very happy to reside in my old rooms for a while. The least of our worries is what rooms we should sleep in.”

Dracia nodded her agreement as they got to the door of Leal’s room. “Let us get settled, and cleaned up and then we will meet with you for supper. We can discuss what happened here, and what we will do next,” said Leal as he opened the door.

“Very good, your majesty,” said Colm. “We will see you then.”

Dracia smiled at both of her brothers and walked into the room, Leal following behind her.

“I hope you don’t truly mind staying in these rooms for a while, Dracia,” said Leal as Dracia walked over and sat down on the sofa.

“No, not at all,” said Dracia. “I actually like staying here with you. I dreamed for many years of living here with you.”

Leal smiled as he sat next to her. “I had the same dream.”

“The dream did not include the destruction of our village,” said Dracia as she leaned back into the sofa. “What are we going to do, Leal?”

“We will meet with your brothers, first, and see what we can find out about Navalia’s forces in the area and make a plan,” answered Leal as he put his arm around Dracia’s shoulder.

“I can’t help but feel somewhat responsible for our people’s plight,” said Dracia with a sigh.

“How so?” asked Leal as he looked at her.

“I would never want your married to Princess Lilith, but perhaps if our marriage hadn’t been a secret, there wouldn’t have been any strife between our kingdoms, or if I had died in the battle of Winsdell, you wouldn’t have ever had broken promises with the princess,” said Dracia.

Leal moved his arm and hugged Dracia closer to him as he looked down at her. “I do wish our marriage had not been a secret for so long, but I don’t think it would have had any effect on our relations with Navalia. I do not regret saving you after you almost died last summer. I do wish you hadn’t had to have suffered for so long because of Lilith. But Dracia, you must know Navalia would have come for us no matter what because of Belleth.

“I don’t know what her goal really is, but it seems to include taking over Lanoxan. She only wanted me to marry Lilith to have her hand over our kingdom. You have nothing to do with the kingdom’s troubles. You have saved Lanoxan many times. It owes you everything, and you owe it nothing.”

“I feel as if I owe it very much, Leal. It has given many things to me including you. I do not want to see our people suffer so. We need our people, all of our people, to have our kingdom. I once told Roderick that the Cassendars or even the Sentinel is not the true power of our kingdom. Our titles, and our force are only illusions of power,” said Dracia as she leaned looked at Leal. “Do you know where the true power of Lanoxan lies, Leal?”

Leal cocked his head and looked at her. “I have a feeling you are going to tell me.”

“The true power lies in the people of Lanoxan. Who they swear their loyalty to, and how the serve the kingdom is what makes Lanoxan what it is. Without our people, our kingdom is nothing. Darron attacking Winsdell while the Cassendars and High Captain are absent was the perfect way to hurt Lanoxan.

“Now our people are not only hurting, but they are also doubting us as their rulers. They are doubting the Sentinel can protect them. If we lose the belief of the people in us, then we lose this war.”

“How do we keep their belief that we can lead them?” asked Leal.

“We have to show them that we can. We have to find a way to keep them safe from Navalia and Belleth. We have to show them we believe they are worth protecting,” said Dracia.

Leal nodded and dropped a kiss on Dracia’s head. They sat in silence for a moment before Leal stood up. “I need to go speak with someone,” said Leal. “I would like it if you would stay here and rest. I know you have not been sleeping well.”

“Where are you going?” asked Dracia.

“To see someone, I believe can help us with the belief of the people,” said Leal. “Will you stay here and rest?”

Dracia wanted to ask more of what he was planning to do. She wanted to go with him, but he was right, she was tired. She was also not feeling well. Her stomach felt sick again, and she would like to lay still for a while to give it a chance to settle.

“I should like to take a bath, and then a nap,” said Dracia as she stretched. “You will not be gone long, will you?”

“No, my dearest, I will be back before supper. I do not like to leave you at all, but I believe this might be necessary,” said Leal.

Dracia nodded. “Then go now, and come back soon.”

Dracia spent much too long in a bath, but it was a needed time of relaxation that did much to ease her muscles and her troubled mind. After her bath, she dressed and laid down in Leal’s bed, which she supposed she should start thinking of it as her bed as well. As soon as she settled onto the soft mattress, she drifted off into a deep sleep.

She was walking in the hills with a man by her side. She didn’t look at the man, but she felt very content to just be near him. His deep laughter made her smile. His gentle smell of grass of lemons made her take in a deep breath.

“What are you thinking, my lovely,” said the man as they walked to the top of a large hill.

“How much I want to spend everyday like this with you,” Dracia said as she looked out amongst the numerous green hills. “Of all the things I have seen and done, nothing brings me as much happiness as just being here with you.”

“Then you should stay with me forever, Sophia,” said the man as he took Dracia’s hand. “You do not need to go back.”

Dracia turned to look at the man. With his kind hazel eyes, and wavy sandy blonde hair, he reminded her much of Leal, but he was broader, and a bit older. She smiled at him and leaned forward as he leaned down. Their lips met and Dracia felt something within her ignite. She leaned back and opened her eyes to see the man’s eyes were glowing green.

“Who I am cries out for you,” the man said and Dracia realized they had been talking all along in the ancient Cassendar tongue.

She heard herself answer him, “And I will always respond.”

The man leaned forward to kiss her again when Dracia woke up, feeling Leal’s gentle kiss on her lips. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him as he leaned over her, having laid next to her in the bed. He leaned down and kissed her as she leaned up to deepen their kiss, placing her hand on his face, feeling the need to let him know just how much she loved him.

The broke apart and Leal leaned his forehead against hers. “I will be very hard to go down to supper if you kiss me like that again,” said Leal as he breathed heavily.

“Then perhaps I should kiss you again to keep you here,” said Dracia as she leaned up to brush her lips against his.

“You are beyond tempting, my love, and there is no where else I would rather be than right here with you,” said Leal quietly.

“But we must go down and meet with my brothers and the others,” said Dracia.

“Yes,” said Leal as he gave her a short kiss. “but there is always later. I do not plan to spend a late night downstairs.”

Dracia sat up and stretched, thinking over her dream. It was very odd, but it made her feel peaceful and more settled than she had in a while. She looked at Leal as he sat up. She could not imagine loving anyone as much as she loved him. They had to get through this war with Navalia. She would not be denied a life spent loving her king.

Dracia walked down to supper with Leal, seeing her brothers, Lord Ethen, Princess Lexine, Selene, and the Ellis’s all at the table. Dracia sat down next to Lord Ethen as Leal sat at the head of the table. After food had been passed around, Leal asked Colm to tell what had happened.

Her brother said that the Sentinel had been on guard, many Elites patrolling around the edge of Winsdell. The forces led by Darron and other former Elites came into the village from many different areas, attacking the homes of lower lords that existed just outside the city, including the house at Low Hill. They went in and found families, dragging them out into the snow to kill several of the lords in front of their wives, children, and parents.

Dracia looked over at Lady Glain to see her looking down at the table as Roderick took her hand. Dracia felt rage fill her body, thinking of Lady Glain and the other families who had to watch their sons, fathers, and brothers die at the hands of former Elites of the Sentinel. Her blood boiled thinking of the cruelty of it all. The very people trained to protect Winsdell had come and destroyed it and killed its people.

“Do we know where the force that attacked is now?” asked Dracia as she tried to compose herself by taking a drink of wine.

“The Sentinel sent out a group of scouts two days ago. We are hoping to find out where they went and if they are planning to strike again,” said Kellen.

“I imagine it will be again soon, now that the king and High Captain had returned,” said Lady Glain in a shaky voice as she looked up.

“Why do you say it, my lady?” asked Leal, looking at the woman.

“I heard them say they would come back for our king,” said Lady Glain. “Your former second looked at me after killing my eldest son, and told me my other sons would be next with their High Captain.”

Dracia looked at Roderick to see him looking back at her. She would need to protect Roderick somehow for his mother, him and Galen. She could not let the poor woman lose another son. She would have to convince at least Roderick to step aside now, as he was the Lord of Low Hill. He had new responsibilities he would need to see to.

“Dracia, did you hear me?” asked Leal as he looked at her.

Dracia shook her head. “I am sorry, your majesty, what did you ask of me?”

“I said tomorrow, I will go with you to the Sentinel to see what the scouts may have found. Once we know more of where the forces are, we will know how to act.”

Dracia nodded. She knew exactly what she would do. She would track down the forces if she had to, and she would show them what happened when they hurt her people. As soon as all of her Elites were present, she would unleash the full power of the Sentinel on those who hurt her village.

“I know what you are thinking, cousin, and I understand it,” said Lord Ethen quietly as they ate. “I want you to remember that angry people rarely make good choices. Do not let your rage and hurt control your decisions.”

“I cannot let what happened here go unpunished, Ethen,” said Dracia whispering back to him.

“I am not asking you to,” said Lord Ethen urgently quiet. “But Dracia, do not make any hasty decisions. I will be by your side to avenge your village and your people, but we need to find the right moment.”

Dracia sighed. “I will try, Ethen, but I cannot wait long until we strike. I will end this war as quickly as I can, and I will save Lanoxan from any further disaster. I will do whatever it takes.”

Dracia stayed at the table as long as she could, even with Lady Glain looking at her constantly, making Dracia feel guilty and wrong. Her stomach started rolling, feeling as though she would be sick. It became hard to breathe as she thought of the pain of her people, of the horror that had happened here a week ago.

“Will you excuse me, my king,” said Dracia as she stood up, causing all the men at the table to quickly stand. “I wish to retire to our rooms.”

“Of course, dearest,” said Leal as he looked at her closely. “Are you well?”

“I am well. I just feel very tired all of the sudden,” said Dracia.

“I will be up soon,” said Leal with a frown.

“Take your time, and speak of all you need to with my brothers and Lord Ethen,” said Dracia. She gave a small smile to the table and then left the room.

She got to the second floor of the palace when she heard someone call for her from the stairs. Dracia turned to see Lady Glain walking up after her.

“Your majesty, I know you are tired, but I was hoping I could have a moment of your time,” said Lady Glain.

“Yes, of course, my lady,” said Dracia as she put her hand on her stomach, willing it to still. “Would you like to step into my room.”

“No, this will not take long,” said Lady Glain. “I first want to say I have heard your story, and I want to know if it is true.”

“I do not know what you have heard, but it is true that I am now a High Noble of Siccaria and the queen of Lanoxan.”

“But you are not Lady Owena’s natural daughter?” asked Lady Glain.

“No, I am not. I am the daughter of Lord Arwel Yates and the deceased Lady Ava, a High Nobel of Siccaria who was the leader of that kingdom.”

Lady Glain nodded her head.

“You believed I was the daughter of your late husband, didn’t you?” asked Dracia.

“I thought you might be. Henri did as well before he died. I always wondered if your father had a hand in his death, but I have heard that is not true.”

“My father did not kill your husband. He did try to give him something to convince him to stop his investigations of my parentage, but it did not lead to your husband’s death,” said Dracia.

“I believe I owe you an apology, your majesty,” said Lady Glain. “I have been unfeeling towards you and at times rude.”

“You do not need to apologize to me,” said Dracia. “You were wronged by your husband and my mother. You have nothing but my sympathy and admiration.”

“I would still like to apologize. I have not been fair to you, and I am determined to do better going forward,” said Lady Glain. “You are the queen now. I hope your reign is long and successful.”

“I do as well, my lady. Is there anything else you would like to say?” asked Dracia, feeling very much like she wanted to get out of her dress and lay down.

“Yes, I have a request of you,” said Lady Glain.

“I will hear it,” said Dracia.

“I have lost my eldest child. I know Alaric had his faults, but he was my first born, and the lord of my household. I was forced to watch him die and hear my other sons’ lives threatened. Before that I believed for some time that my very worthy younger sons had perished in a foreign kingdom.”

Dracia closed her eyes, feeling the sickness rise up in her throat as tears gathered in her eyes. She took a deep breath and willed herself to stand still and not be sick. “I am very sorry for our loss and the pain and grief you have been through. I know I cannot change anything. If I can do anything to ease your burden, please let me know.”

“Uname Roderick as your second,” said Lady Glain. “Tell him he must step down as an Elite and as your second. He is the Lord of Low Hill now. He will need to step into his role. I know he feels responsible for you in some way, and I know you care for him as well. Please save him from a horrible fate that could befall him. I cannot lose another son, your majesty.”

Dracia took another deep breath, trying to keep her tears from falling. “What of Galen?”

Lady Glain looked away for a moment. “I would do anything to keep him form harm, but I do not have a reason for it. Roderick has a new calling in the kingdom now, and I know him. He will fight for the kingdom and for you with his last breath. If it is between him and you in a fight, he will choose you, you know he will. Tell him he must step down. Make the king command it if you have to.”

Dracia looked at the woman in front of her, seeing the tears on the woman’s cheeks. You could see the strain of the last week had affected her. Her eyes were tired and full of grief and worry. This woman in front of Dracia had known such sadness and disappointment all her life, and Dracia wanted to help her, to ease her burden. She also wanted nothing more than for Roderick to be safe, to have a chance of a happy life with a woman he loved.

Dracia nodded. “I see to it, my lady. I will do whatever it takes to see your son does not follow me into battle. He will stay here safe, seeing over Low Hill.”

Lady Glain grabbed Dracia’s hands and squeezed. “Thank you, your majesty. Thank you so much. I know he will not take it well, but he will listen to you,” said Lady Glain as she smiled through her tears. “It seems he has met a woman. I hope she is worthy because I believe he likes her very much.”

“She is very worth, Lady Glain. I hope one day she will make him a good wife. There is not much I want more in this world than for Roderick to be happy. He deserves it more than anyone.”

“I appreciate how much you care for him. I should have seen your devotion for him before, but I pushed it away,” said Lady Glain. “I shall go, so you can rest.”

Lady Glain let go of Dracia’s hand and turned away. “Lady Glain,” said Dracia causing the woman to turn and look at her. “I will find a way to keep Galen safe as well. I promise the safety of both of your sons during this war. I will also make sure Galen is raised up in the kingdom to a position he deserves. I will see it for both of your sons.”

“I believe you,” she said with a small smile before she turned and walked down the stairs.

Dracia walked into her room and closed the door, leaning against it, letting her tears fall as she broke down.

“Your majesty,” said Malven quietly with concern as he came forward.

Without thinking she fell on Malven, sobbing on his shoulder. He hesitated for one moment before putting his arms around her, making small soothing sounds. She lay on him until she cried herself out, pushing herself up and away from him gently.

“I am sorry, Malven. I am not sure what is wrong with me,” said Dracia as she wiped her eyes with her hands.

“You have been through much, your majesty. You have been so strong though it all. It is no shame in crying and grieving, much is wrong in the kingdom, but I believe in you and in our king. You will both make it right.”

Dracia smiled at him. “Thank you, Malven. Your support means more to me than you can possibly know.”

“You have always had it,” said Malven. “And you always shall.”

The door opened and Leal walked into the room. He looked at Dracia with her tear stained cheeks as she stood close to Malven. He quickly walked over and took her into his arms as Malven moved away. She leaned against his chest, feeling the peace of his warmth and love sooth her.