Whispers of a Legend, Part One-Shadows of the Past (5 page)

“Halt, Kela. Do not come any closer. You
can’t come within. I have only moments. Listen, my precious. Do not
forget the words I will utter. Do not let go of the past. It will
lead to the present. Do not let go of your siblings. They will have
need of you. Trust you instincts and let them guide you. Search out
Seilda the Tvopac. She will guide you. You aren’t prepared as you
should have been, but all you need you have. Find your path, Kela.
Do not falter my darling daughter…”

“Mother!” I cried watching the light
dissipated from my view. “Mother, don’t leave me!”

The light dissipated. I
bolted straight up in a bed. Sun light filtered in through an open
window. Confused for a moment to where I could be. I looked down.
Sareta lay beside me, asleep. Olaf lay curled up at the foot of the
bed.
Where was I?

Sareta stirred. “Kela, you are awake?”

Breathless, I nodded while memories of my
dream, my vision flooded back to me. Calming myself, I reached up
to my forehead.

“Yes, Sareta, but where are we? Where are
Falco and Turstan?”

“I have been told nothing, but know all,”
Sareta smiled at me in a knowing manner. I relaxed for she seemed
content. “I’m glad you’re awake. I had been scared you would not do
so. You expelled so much energy that night. I didn’t know if you
were injured.”

“It still hurts, but it is better. That
night, you say. How long have I been asleep?’

“For three days,” Sareta said simply.
“Turstan has checked upon you constantly. I believe he still feels
the need to care for us, but they have sent him back within the
Royal Wings. It was the Royal Wings they sent.”

“Sent? I don’t understand,” I said, lying
back down for a moment.

“I’m not sure they know what to do with us,”
Sareta squirmed, stretching her legs. “I’m not supposed to be here.
They had placed me within the castle with Gunilda. I believe they
are to place me with our aunt. We have an aunt, Kela!”

Glancing around, fear gripped me. The room
was clean, but small. We both lay on a cot. There was nothing else
in the bare room that had not even curtains on its window, except a
wooden chair.

“Then where am I, my sister?”

“I’m not certain. They have been arguing
about you for some reason. Of which I’m not certain of, but it is
my hope they place you with me. They have to. Do they not?” she
said with her smile. Her face had more color within it, more
energy. She tilted her head and swung her small feet off the bed.
“I’m certain you impressed all with your display. It is all any one
is talking of, but it is confusing for some reason others talk it
was Falco who did so. But Falco and Turstan couldn’t have been more
pleased with you.”

“Where is Falco?”

“He is enjoying himself immensely down at the
barracks. They wasted no time. He’s is training to become a true
Sordarin. But, Kela, all is not as it seems,” Sareta said. She
jumped down upon the floor. “They have certain expectations now of
us.” She walked over to a wooden back chair. A simple wool gray
dress sat upon it. Sareta winced upon the sight. She thought for a
moment. She unfold the dress and it became a beautiful blue dress
with designs embroider along the front. “You should look like a
lady in this. Do you not think?” Sareta laughed.

“It’s not funny,” I responded. Without
explanation, an emotion gripped me. “What is not as it seems,
Sareta? Hurry for I feel we don’t have much time alone.”

Rapid footsteps could be heard hammering down
a hall. Sareta reached for my hand. “Do you want to leave? We, two.
We could go upon our own. We can’t be separate. Not yet, Kela.”

“I know, Sareta. Mother…Mother told me as I
slept,” I whispered. “I will never abandon you. Stay. I will deal
with all.”

Suddenly, the door sprang open with Sareta
and me staring at a quite disturbed Sordarin. An elderly gentleman,
his wings had faltered, over time or injury, I wasn’t certain, but
by his robes he was a man of importance.

“Mother of all!” he exclaimed. “How did you?
How could you?”

The aged Sordarin gripped tight the frame to
the entrance of the room in an attempt to catch the breathe he had
lost in his haste. “I thought someone had captured you in some
manner. You, young lady, are my charge. You can’t leave my suites
in the castle.”

I walked protectively in front of Sareta.
“Excuse me, my lord, but this is my sister. We have always been
together and have no desire to be separated.”

“It is not a choice, young lady,” he
responded indignantly for someone of such youth to talk to him
such. “She has to return immediately.”

I eyed him with a reflective gaze. He ignored
me and reached for Sareta. A mistake! I flicked my hand ever so
lightly. Immediately, his hand propelled backwards.

“I don’t think so.”

Sareta smiled inching back behind me. The man
stared intently at her, but I didn’t relent. From behind the man, a
woman appeared. A dark skinned older lady dressed in a simple cream
tunic down to her ankle with a leather belt tied at her waist with
a head dress.

“Lord Pigoc, the children have gone through
much and I’m certain they are confused. It’s all understandable.
Why do you not let me ready the young lady? You found the little
one. She is fine and seems content with her sister. Does she not?”
she said in a graceful manner. She walked with an elegance I had
rarely seen to my side. “King Edulf asked for me to prepare the
young lady when she awoke. What harm can come?”

“The little one can’t walk the grounds as
such. King Edulf stated…”

“I’m certain they can travel as the young one
obviously did to enter within a guarded bed chamber without being
seen,” the woman answered. She gently maneuvered Lord Pigoc out the
door. “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have both prepared.” She
gave him no time to respond and closed the door behind him. Then
she turned with a tender expression. I liked her almost instantly.
“Let’s see what we need to do here.”

As promised, I prepared to meet the King. I
stood outside a grand hall waiting to be summoned adorned in the
blue dress Sareta had given me. Sareta had only with the greatest
reluctance returned to her suites. In which I was certain I would
follow her after my grandfather. To my dismay, I found I was
destined to meet my grandfather alone. Standing in the massive
hall, I felt small, insignificant. I had a sudden need for Turstan
and Falco. I sighed heavily.
Why was I apart from the
others
?

Answers to my questions were allusive. Even
the hospitable woman who seemed to be in charge of my well being
could tell me little, introduced as only as Lady Faileuba.

“For the moment you are a guest in my home,”
she said kindly. She turned to one behind her and called a bath for
me. “King Edulf wants you within my house. I know my home is not
the castle, but I’m certain the King has reasons for such. My
husband serves in the Royal Guard as does now my grandson, Cono. He
was the one that brought you here. I don’t know if you remember
much.”

I nodded, taking in my surroundings in the
large house. Faileuba’s husband must hold a position of power, I
thought, to own such a home. The house was made of brick and had a
high wall around it. The entrance of the house had a long walkway
which gave way to a wide wooden gate opening into a lane. The many
rooms were well furnished and I found Faileuba had many servants
which waited upon her.

But my concern laid not where I was to stay
but keeping all together. Sareta had tried to contact Falco, but he
seemed content. I could well imagine Falco was where he had always
dreamed of, not being surrounded by his sisters, but in a group of
warriors. He ignored us.
I will take care of him later
, I
thought.

Lord Pigoc had returned to walk me over to
the west wing of the castle, Yucca, a grand unyielding,
imperishable fortress. From a distance, Yucca loomed as a massive
gray stone fortification.

“The grounds are extensive, my lady,” he
explained on our walk, which was a greater distance than I first
imagined. “The castle lies secure upon the cliffs. The only way to
enter is from the sky. The back opens up to open ground. Along the
squares, the homes are arranged to the west. To the east lie the
barracks, storehouse, armory, and treasure house. All along the
mountain cliffs are the homes of the Sordarins, opening beyond the
Preda range to the Saquasha Range. The land of Scarladin is vast
and widespread.”

I caught a glimpse of the bailey when we
entered the massive stone castle. Flowers abounded within along
canals of water. I caught scent of gardenias in the lustrous
garden. In the middle I could make out a huge statue of a Sordarin
by a fountain. From my view it seemed peaceful, serene.

“There is much to remember when meeting his
Highness,” Lord Pigoc explained while we walked. I wondered why he
seemed nervous. Was I not the king’s granddaughter? “Keep your head
bowed until he acknowledges your presence. Don’t speak until spoken
too. Nod only. It will be brief, I hope.”

Lord Pigoc led me through the front sandstone
pavilion. Two large wings encompassed the austere entrance with
three towers reigning over the cliffs. The hall was lined with
portraits of kinsman who had ruled in the past. I wondered briefly
if my father was among the portraits. I wanted to ask, but Lord
Pigoc gave me no opportunity, having walked fast by all. Tapestries
hung down upon the stone walls. Fenestral windows with lattice
frames that were covered in fabric allowed light in or drafts
out.

The Great Hall seemed to have been annex at a
different time. It wasn’t made of stone, but the ceiling was made
of stucco with gilt-leather hangings. At the entrance a gilt bust
was placed for all to admire. The floor was made of marble and
hangings of blue damask covered the wall.

No sooner than I had entered, I caught sight
of a small group of visitors leaving. They weren’t Sordarins, but
walked with seemly great importance. The tallest of the group
looked back. My heart beat rapidly. I knew him. My eyes glared. He
was of the band at the river. The prince, I thought I remembered.
He began to walk gingerly toward me, even more handsome to my young
eyes than I remembered. Dressed in a regal manner, his eyes greeted
mine with a sense of satisfaction within them. He bowed to me while
the others followed uncertain of his destination.

“I believe introductions are in order, my
lady. Prince Pieter de Flour. It is good to see you well. I
understand you have had quite the adventure, but it must be
satisfying to know that you are back among your people,” he said.
Without warning he took my hand and kissed it. “I’m happy to have
had a hand in your return.”

“How did you?” I uttered trying to hide my
confusion. “How would you know...?” My voice faded. Warnings
recalled gave me pause to talking to this stranger.

“Let us just say that I realize that the
rumors of your existence held truth to them,” he said simply. “I
have always held interest in such. This time it paid off, did it
not?”

He smiled at me, but from behind him a guard
appeared. “My Lady, your Majesty requests your presence.”

Prince Pieter let go of my hand with the
greatest reluctance. “Your grandfather desires to see you. I’m
certain we’ll be seeing each other again.” He bowed and waved his
hand in a manner of departure.

Disturbed for a feeling surfaced within me
that the man knew more about me than I did myself. I stared after
him.

“My Lady.”

I turned back to the guard and followed him
within.

"King Edulf, filia Mithelk of Scarladin,
soror ejus Falco of Scarladin, Kela Monicalia Flandigana
Calledwdele,” the guard announced
loudly.

Apprehension grew upon each step I took. In
the far corner of the room he stood, proud and grave at the moment
before him. Forgetting the instructions to lower my head, I met his
eyes. Nervously, I pressed my hands against my dress. I felt
uncomfortable dressed such, but Sareta assured me I looked
beautiful. The blue accented my eyes, Sareta said. She had placed a
butterfly hairpiece in the middle of my thick auburn hair. Sareta
enjoyed such things. Things I had not the time.

I studied my grandfather as he approached as
I was certain he was me. I searched for something familiar, but for
the life of me, I found nothing. Had I not been four upon my
parent’s death? Would I not have met my own grandfather?

He held himself tall and muscular, appearing
younger than I had imagined even with his long white hair and bushy
eyebrows. For some reason, I had deemed him ancient and frail. That
was not the man before me. He seemed a man ageless in time.

He had only a simple leather string tied
around his forehead to hold his hair back. His eyes were grey as a
clear evening sky. Lines were many upon his aged face. He had the
look of a tried warrior, one not only in strength but valor
revived. He had not dressed for a formal meeting wearing only his
tanned pants and the leather straps criss-crossed over his broad
chest. His sword sat secure within its place around his waist.

King Edulf motioned for me to walk to his
side, dismissing all except for one. The Sordarin must have
importance for he carried himself thus. Tall, dark, and muscular,
his manner gave way to a semblance of intelligence surrounding him.
I imagined he must hold council with my grandfather. He gave me a
slight smile, but when I turned back to my grandfather if I
expected a semblance of emotion from him in seeing his once seemly
dead grandchild, I was to be disappointed.

“So you’re Kela, a Euchoun?” he looked upon
me. “I understand you almost wiped out my entire Royal Wings. I
send them to retrieve you and you almost destroyed them.”