Forest & Kingdom Balance
Read Forest & Kingdom Balance Online
Authors: Robert Reed Paul Thomas
Tags: #adventure, #fantasy, #kingdom, #princess, #castle, #immortal being
Forest & Kingdom
Balance
Copyright 2015 Robert Reed Paul Thomas
Smashwords Edition
License Notes
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Published by Robert Reed Paul Thomas at
Smashwords
Cover Design by Author
Dedication
For Marie
A friend in deed
Contents
Chapter One: The
Enchanted Forest
Prelude
Vigilance
John’s consciousness returned from the west to find
the Forest aglow in predawn light. The young Sentinel allowed
night’s waning stillness to flow through him, a serenity that
quickly faded as his concern for Dionara reemerged.
“Today should have been a joyous celebration for
her.”
He placed a hand lightly on his mentor’s shoulder.
“Caretaker, you will be late to meet the Princess.” The sound of
his soft voice lingered in the still glade.
The second man, who’s timeless countenance revealed
a hint of sorrow, felt the weight of circumstances he could not
change. “Yes, the time has come.” He gave his young charge a
wistful smile as he turned to meet the dawn. From a brilliant flash
of emerald green, an eagle flew to the east.
John closed his eyes and once more expanded his
awareness. In the distant palace, alone in the empty hall, the Red
Knight struggled with questions he had travelled far to answer.
Chapter One
The
Enchanted Forest
White marble battlements bathed in the soft pastels
of morning shone like a beacon, but only to the quiet mountain
kingdom nestled among the majestic peaks. High upon the pinnacle, a
brilliant silk banner gently flowed in the breeze, while far below
at a seldom used and little known entrance to the castle, an
interesting conversation was taking place.
“No! Ye cannot enter,” bellowed the guard. “Aye,
there be magic about you, of that there ain’t no doubt, but good
magic or bad? Now there lies the question. So ye best move along,
you’ll not be getting through this door today.”
The petitioner just sat there, what else could he
do? Overpowering the guard was out of the question, after all, the
guard was a well-muscled, burly sort of chap and the petitioner was
just a frog, a very late frog.
“My good man, I am sure that your service to the
realm has been exemplary and that you will be well rewarded for it,
but in this matter you are mistaken. You see I am here at the
personal request of the Princess. Perhaps you could send word that
Froggy awaits but is unable to enter?”
“I said move along!” The guard returned to his
stance, muttering under his breath. "Talking frogs, ump!"
“But sir, if I do not attend the Princess
immediately,” the frog paused to choose his words carefully,
“surely you are aware of the Princess’, oh let’s call it
‘impatience’ shall we. I entreat you kind sir, please, just send
word.”
As Froggy considered how he might convince the
stalwart guard, a young woman’s voice echoed from within the
castle, “Froggy! If I don’t see your little green ass soon, I’m
going to have frog legs for lunch!”
The guard’s words were contrite as he opened the
door, “Now that I look sir, I can tell that you are truly a kind
and gentle being sir. Might I ask you not to mention this to the
Princess sir? I don’t know if there’s a worse posting than mine in
the Royal Guard sir, but given the choice, I’d rather not find out.
If ye get my meanin’ sir.”
“Of course,” answered the frog.
He emerged onto the cobblestone courtyard to a
breathtaking sight. Before him stood the Princess Dionara, her
tall, lithe figure was eclipsed only by the radiance of her smile
framed in the long shimmering tresses of her raven black hair. He
stopped for a moment to admire the soft, feminine beauty of this
girl who must soon become a woman.
“Froggy, there you are. Where have you been? We were
supposed to get started at sunrise.” Dionara bent down to welcome
her guest. “Well? You’re late, and you’d better make it good.” She
lifted him with a gentle hand and set off toward the stable at a
brisk pace. Froggy looked up and was instantly lost in the music of
her eyes. Her expression though, still said “Well?”
“Please accept my apologies Princess, an ox cart
rolled over and blocked the road. By the way, you really should do
something about that sharp turn just past the mill, it’s very
dangerous.”
Dionara smiled, Froggy usually said more with what
questions he avoided than the ones he answered. “That’s duty, I’ll
deal with it tomorrow,” she gave him a stern glance. “Today is the
day you promised to take me to the Enchanted Forest.”
“And so I did my Lady.” Froggy looked to the west,
then dismissed the sadness that threatened to reemerge,
“The past is done and the future not yet at
hand.”
He reminded himself.
With her friend now well in hand, Dionara quickly
passed from the courtyard and entered the royal stables, a domed
arena built of the finest hardwoods expertly crafted and polished.
The clean, fresh scent of oiled leather and aged wood mixed with
the musk of well-tended steeds.
“How long will it take to get there?” Dionara’s
impatience was evident.
“The Forest is but a short ride my Lady, the trick
is knowing how to get in. No strangers wander the Enchanted Forest.
It’s by invitation only, so to speak.” Dionara held Froggy close to
her face. Her eyes narrowed as she wondered if any of his wild
tales were true.
“I trust my Lady has chosen a sturdy mount for
today’s outing?” He asked to divert her obvious skepticism.
Dionara’s anticipation of the day’s adventure
heightened, “Indeed! He is named Foil for his quick, sure
movements.”
“As you wish my Lady.” Froggy made a show of looking
over the horse being lead toward them. “Although I don’t think my
legs will reach the stirrups.”
She pictured her friend astride Foil at full gallop,
desperately trying to hold on to the reins, as well as his dignity.
Dionara’s laughter filled the arena. “Oh Froggy,” she said as she
caught her breath. “I don’t think you need to worry about the
stirrups, I have something better.” She rested him on the saddle
and tied a miniature leather sling about her neck. “Today you’ll
ride close to my heart as I listen to your tales of an Enchanted
Forest, although I still doubt it exists. If nothing else, it’s a
wonderful day and I’m sure you’ll entertain me with incredible
stories while we ride.”
Beneath the portcullis past white marble walls,
Dionara gently rocked in rhythm with her steed. Froggy enjoyed the
warm comfort of his perch while he watched the morning dew sparkle
in ever changing colors as they passed thatched roof cottages on
tree-shaded lanes. Only the occasional “Good morning Princess,”
from a few of the kingdom’s earlier risers interrupted the sound of
Foil’s hooves.
“Are you going to give me directions, or do we ride
around in circles all day?” She teased, “Or are you just content
with a pleasant ride?”
Froggy’s eyes lifted slowly, he knew that time was
now their enemy but he wanted to savor this one last moment. “Yes,
no, and yes my Lady. Forgive my inattentiveness, though I dare
anyone not to be distracted were they to find themselves in such
fine company on this beautiful morning.” Her patient smile told him
that it was time to start.
As Dionara slowed Foil’s gate, Froggy felt his
determination return.
"Life is change, I should
know that better than anyone."
He felt both a sense of loss
for her innocence, and a hope that she might at least have a chance
for a rich, full life. Though that chance was getting slimmer with
each passing day. Whether dreaded or hoped for, today had come and
so the Princess must begin another chapter in her life. He looked
up to see her waiting for an answer. “Our destination is Angel
Falls my Lady.”
“Angel Falls!” She said with a start. “Why, I
haven’t been there in years, how wonderful. A trip to Angel Falls
it is.” She immediately turned Foil about and set off at a healthy
stride, nearly unseating her contented guest. “You’ve gotten
yourself into trouble now my dear Froggy. You see Angel Falls is
very special to me. Much of my youth was spent in that heavenly
glade. I know every inch of that place and if there’s an Enchanted
Forest there, I’ll eat my horse.”
“Don’t worry Foil,”
Froggy
thought,
“I won’t hold her to it.”
After a short while at full speed to express her
exhilaration, she allowed Foil to settle into a comfortable gate.
“Angel Falls,” she began again, “I haven’t been there since I was a
child, what great memories.”
Froggy looked to the west. “Yes, I know my
Lady.”
Dionara paused. Many years of banter with her
enigmatic friend had heightened her perceptions. She knew that
simple words from Froggy could hold a wealth of meaning. “How could
you know?” She asked warily, “You and I are old friends, but not
that old. I haven’t been to Angel Falls since my parents," she
hesitated. "Well, let’s just say since I’ve taken on my duties at
the castle.”
Froggy’s answer was, as usual, both tantalizing and
frustrating. “Your parents were of a kind and generous nature my
Lady.” He said in a solemn voice, “The world has known few of their
stature, and now know fewer still.”
“You knew my parents? Why have you never told me?”
Dionara’s reply was too quick to hide her frustration, and his
answer did nothing to relieve it.
“Today you will learn many things my Lady.”
“Oh! He never gives me a straight
answer.”
She thought,
“Perhaps a different
approach.”
“Still, when it comes to my Froggy,” she said
casually, “I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Like the first
time we met. There I was, barely into my teens as I stood in the
Great Hall surrounded by dreary faced councilors who could talk of
nothing but matters of state, while all I could think of were my
parents and how my life had changed. I’m afraid I threw a very
unprincess-like fit, then ordered everyone out. Or so I
thought.”
Her face revealed the slightest hint of a wound,
long dealt with but never forgotten. “I felt as if all the weight
of the Kingdom rested on me alone as I sat there crying.” She said
softly.
She paused until the cloud that shadowed her beauty
passed. “Then I hear the most absurd noise, ‘ribbit, ribbit,’ and
out from behind a huge stone pillar hopped a frog.”
“I remember, my Lady.” He chuckled, “You asked if it
was I who made that strange noise. To which I replied, in a most
gentlemanly fashion. ‘Yes my Princess it was I, your humble
servant, who has been so bold as to interrupt her Highness’ royal
tantrum.’”
“At least I stopped crying.” She remembered.
“That you did my Lady, and I feared that you had
also stopped breathing.”
Dionara glanced down with mild reprimand, “Perhaps
where you come from talking frogs are common place, but it was a
first for me.”
“I must admit that you did recover remarkably well,”
Froggy continued, “with a style and self-confidence I’ve come to
know has your hallmark. Now, what was it you said? Ah yes, ‘Since
it seems that you are the only one in my court who is not flustered
by a child’s tears, I hereby appoint you High Councilor.’ You then
promptly picked me up and locked me in a musty, old box.”
