A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2) (4 page)

How can you ask me that? I love him.

Enough Nycilla! End this, before he is the end of you and your kingdom!

Lucinda sat straight up in bed. The dreams had returned
. 
The Ancient Queen’s memories had returned to her after so long.

“My Queen,” Geenessa had appeared at the entrance of her bedchamber. “Did you have a night terror, my lady?”

“No.  It was a memory.  Nycilla’s memory. I thought I was free of them, but they have returned.”

“Something has triggered it. Or maybe
someone.
Tell me, where were you these past days my lady?”  Geenessa came and sat by the edge of Lucinda’s bed.  “Who did you see?”

Lucinda looked at her governess, knowing she already knew. “I saw him.”  Lucinda said with a heavy sigh. “I saw Matthew.”

Chapter 3

King Joseph insisted that Matthew rest for a few more nights in the North Kingdom, before he thought him fit to make the journey back to the West. 

He rode mostly in silence with a small caravan led by guards of the North Kingdom.  It was about a two week journey by road to the West Kingdom.  Within six days’ time the sleet started to dissipate into rain as they rode closer to the West.  The temperature was rising and colorful flowers started to pave the trail back home.  Upon the thirteenth day of travel the kingdom started to come into view.  Matthew could see a crowd littering the path as his caravan approached.

“The Prince has returned! He has fought the wrath of the Green Sea and he has conquered! Hail our Commander!”  The people of the West Kingdom shouted and threw flowers into his path as he closed into the kingdom.

No,
Matthew thought. 
I did not conquer. The Green Sea would have sent me to my death if it was not for her. 
They rode slower the next few days as townspeople walked into their path.  When the castle was within walking distance, he stepped out of the caravan and extended a hand to his people.  They cheered to him.    A maiden stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. 

“It is so wonderful to see you well my handsome prince.” She fussed as she placed her lips on Matthew’s cheek.

Matthew pushed her gently out of his path.  The blue and white of the castle came into view.  Suddenly, his uncle was in front of him.  He embraced Matthew firmly for several minutes before clearing the way ahead of them toward the castle gates.  When they reached the gates, Matthew turned back to the crowd.

“Thank you for your kind welcome.” He shouted over the noise.  “I feared I would never return home.  It was your prayers and the mercy of the One God that brought me back to you.”  Upon entering the castle doors, he fell to his knees in weariness. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Yes, Uncle.  I just need a moment.  Please inform my brother of my return.”  Uncle Jonathan placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder before departing.

“Matthew.”  Matthew looked up and faced Gwendolyn’s large, blue eyes.  Her brown hair was tied up tightly in a bun behind her head, decorated with a silver ornament.  She wore a blue gown that hit the floor.

“My Queen.” Matthew bowed his head.  The words between him and Gwendolyn had been few since she was betrothed to John.  They were married a little over a year after the events surrounding the Princess’s disappearance.  His father feared of having a celebration so quickly after such a loss, but he was determined to shake the kingdom out of mourning and civil dispute.  So John wed Gwendolyn shortly after John’s nineteenth birthday and Gwendolyn’s seventeenth.  They rose as King and Queen together four years after they wed, upon Matthew’s father’s passing.  Yet, the years of being Queen had brought Gwendolyn more grief than joy.  She had not been able to bear John a child and whispers started to circle around her. 
The Barren Queen,
the commoners started to call her.  There were other hateful rumors encircling her as well.  Some believed she was in love with someone else and refused to bear a child for the King. 

“It is good to see you well, Commander.  The King was beside himself in grief when you went missing.  We all were.”

“I am sorry to have caused that grief.”

“We are glad you have returned to us.” She smiled with her lips but her eyes showed no emotion, as Uncle Jonathan returned. 

“The King is amidst a council meeting, but wishes to see you. Come.”  Matthew left Gwendolyn and went to follow his uncle to a large room where the King conducted meetings with his advisors.  Matthew entered the room to bright smiles of the seven men who made up his brother’s council.  Standing a distance away, John’s face looked not of joy or grief when Matthew entered.  He simply set his eyes upon him.  John was increasingly looking like their father each passing year.  The same set of brown hair and brown eyes, and he had allowed the hair on his face to grow out into a short beard. 

“Leave us.” The King instructed his men.  They all bowed and departed the room placing a hand upon Matthew’s shoulder upon leaving.  Uncle Jonathan followed them out the door, leaving Matthew alone in the large room with his brother. 

Upon the door closing, John’s words came violently at Matthew.  “You are a fool! You are nothing but trouble for me!  When will I ever stop worrying of you?” He gave an exasperated sigh and cleared the distance between them.  He embraced Matthew fiercely dragging both of them to their knees upon the stone floor.  His brother continued to scold him as he kissed the side of Matthew’s face.  Matthew felt his brother’s warm tears falling as they stayed in the embrace. 

“John,” Matthew said lightly. “This is not proper decorum for a king.  It will suit you to show some restraint.”  John struck Matthew’s head with an open palm as he rose to his feet. 

“You were missing in sea for days!  When your ship returned without you, I was out of my mind! I was ready to imprison all of your men for returning to me without their commander.  You cannot imagine the relief I felt in receiving King Joseph’s letter. As the days went on I was starting to think,” John closed his eyes and breathed deeply.  “It would be more than I could bear, Matthew.”

Matthew rose to his feet.  “I know.” He said quietly. “I am sorry.  I never want to cause you pain.”  

“I told you to give this up.  You cannot continue to risk your life in these searches.  I want to believe she is alive as you do, but
you
need to believe that if she is alive she will make herself known when she is ready to do so.”

“Brother,” Matthew started.

“Enough of this, Matthew.  Do I need to command you to stop this search for her?  Is this what we have come to?  I swear it upon this day if you will not willingly cease the search then I will command it of you.  I will find no joy in throwing you into a cell for disobeying me, but if that is what I must do I will.”

“John,” Matthew started again.  “My search was not in vain. I saw her.  Lucinda is alive.”

John looked at Matthew in disbelief. “What? You found her?”

“She found me. My body did not just float upon the shores of the North Kingdom.  I was first in Narka.  They would have devoured me if the Princess had not come to me.  I saw her for only a brief moment, but I know it was her who saved my life. I don’t remember how I came to the North, but I know I was first at Narka.”  He grabbed for the necklace hidden under his garments.  “She gave me this.  She wanted me to remember it was her who saved me.” 

John looked at the necklace.  “How can you be certain it belongs to her?”

“I remember seeing her green eyes, and I awoke with a woman’s necklace around me.  It seems reasonable that it is hers.”

“Narka? Unbelievable.”

“They cowered in fear of her John.  She killed their leader. She is no shy maiden.”

“Have you told anyone else about this?”

“Yes, King Joseph as well as King Adelphi who was visiting the North Kingdom.  I only said that I remembered a woman saving my life at Narka, though they concluded it might be her.”

“King Adelphi was in the North?” John asked in confusion.

“Yes, I thought it was strange as well but he said he was visiting.”

His brother did not say anything for a moment. “You have had a long journey brother.  You should rest.”

“John, I saw her. I know it was her.”

He embraced Matthew once more. “I do believe you,” He said unconvincingly.  “But we need to consider what this means. Be careful who you speak this to.”

Matthew left the council room.  Uncle Jonathan was waiting a little way off. “You should address your men.  Some are still at sea searching for you.  Word has not reached them yet, but they will soon return.” Jonathan’s eyes went to the necklace hanging loosely around Matthew’s neck. “Where did you get that?” He whispered.

Matthew looked at his uncle curiously.  “It was upon my neck when I washed up on the shores of the North Kingdom.”  Jonathan looked at it intently.  “Do you recognize it, Uncle?”

His uncle shook his head, but was slow to speak. “It just looks similar to something I have seen long ago.” He put his hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “Go address your men and then get some rest. You’ll need to regain your strength.”

For the next several days, Matthew attended to the tasks that were required of him.  He was training a new fleet of young men to join the Western Guard.  More men were needed as the years went on.  Since the Princess’s disappearance there were several moments of unrest amongst their people.  Civil disputes broke out frequently over discussion of the mysterious castle in the water. In addition, every year new groups of people were reported missing.  Matthew had mapped out and sent his men on several missions in search of the missing villagers, but throughout the years very few were successful. The ones that were found were runaways or victims of kidnappings, but the majority were lost. Rumors circled the kingdoms of where the missing villagers were.  Many had claimed to see villagers entering the water late at night and disappearing. 

They are joining her kingdom.
Matthew thought. Lucinda was alive. She had finally made herself known to him after all these years.  Yet, had she decided that that was enough?  Would she wait another seven years before seeing him again?  He knew he had to do more if he wished to set his mind at rest. 

After training his men for the day, Matthew cautiously approached his brother’s chambers.  The door was ajar, and Matthew hesitated as he heard voices inside.

“What if I am unable to bear children?”  Gwendolyn said in a teary whisper. “It has been six years.  Those who were married around us have a litter of children now.”

“Gwendolyn, enough of this,” John said gently. “I have asked nothing of you.”

“A king needs heirs!  Would you be willing to hand your kingdom over to your brother and to his sons after you pass?  Or to a distant relative?”

“I would prefer my brother’s kin, but as the years go on it seems unlikely,” John said lightly. “He has had several fitting offers of brides and refused them all.” 

“Be serious John.  Will you be willing to pass your father’s kingdom to someone else?”  Gwendolyn dissolved into sobs.  “It is my only job to provide you with a son and I have failed our people. They call me the Barren Queen!”

“Gwendolyn, I did not know—“

“They look at you with love and they look at me with disdain!  They know I am not worthy of you! It is within your right to dismiss me—“

“Enough,” John started.

“—and choose another!  Someone who can provide you with an heir!”

“I said enough!” John commanded in a deep voice he used infrequently.  Matthew heard nothing for a while but Gwendolyn’s sobs.  Slowly the tears lessoned and his brother started again, gentler, “Why are you so downhearted? Do I not mean more to you than ten sons?
Your King
loves you more than anyone in this kingdom, Gwendolyn. Remember that, before you allow the words of commoners to bring you to talk nonsense to me. If you are in such need of children, then we will go to the west village and claim one of the orphaned as our own.  I will gladly name him as my heir.  Believe me when I tell you, if I am to have a child of my own blood it will be with you.”

There was a moment of silence again. “You are more than I deserve
.
” Gwendolyn responded in a whisper.
“
I love you.
”
 

“Don’t cry anymore.  It hurts me to see you this way.”

Matthew turned to leave, feeling guilt in listening to his brother’s private conversation. The door opened then and Gwendolyn was before him.  She looked at Matthew with wide eyes.

“My Queen, I apologize for startling you,” Gwendolyn turned her reddened face away from him and left quickly down the hall. He entered the King’s chambers and knelt with his head bowed and eyes averted from his brother.  “Your Majesty.  I am sorry for the intrusion. I had a request to bring before you.”

Matthew stood and watched his brother stare out over the kingdom from the balcony.  John turned to him, “Is it true they call her the Barren Queen?”

“I have heard it said from some of the villagers.”

John sighed. “I have been so blind to her suffering.  I haven’t thought much of heirs, in truth.  We are still young enough after all.  If I am meant to have sons of my own body, it is still possible.  Yet, I suppose these matters weigh on the hearts of women more than men.”  He said nothing for a moment. “What is it that you need?”