Letters
The albinos knew the caverns and tunnels like Danika knew the secret corridors of her father’s inner keep. Circumventing the cave in, the pale-faced men and women brought them to the surface in mere hours without waking a single peeper mouse or bittle bat.
As the light from the end of the tunnel came into view, the albinos stayed back in the shadows and set down the packs of metal at their feet.
Oster bowed, pulling his hood over his pale features. “This is as far as we can travel, Your Highness.”
Danika bowed. “You’ve done so much to help us. I wish our people could overcome the differences separating us and establish trade venues.”
Oster waved his pale fingers and soil-crusted nails. “Prejudice is a powerful evil and will take more than a mere load of metal to overcome.”
Danika thought of the temple monks and their exclusion of Halfast’s tale. “At least your peace offering opens the door to reason, if but a crack.”
The sun’s rays grew stronger behind them, and the line of shadows drew back.
“We’ll see.” The rat-man backed deeper into the darkness, and Danika knew their time together was at an end.
She raised her voice so Oster and all the others could hear. “We will return your kindness by protecting the borders of our shared lands.”
Oster’s voice echoed down the shaft. “So be it. May Halfast’s light show you the way.”
It took them an hour to haul the metal to the sunlight and load the carriage. The horses had dined on the fine, thin grasses by the lake in their absence, and they moved with restless grace.
Danika and Valorian took the lead, choosing the path for Bron and Nip as they carted their shipment behind them. The heavier load forced them to move at a slower pace, circumventing the deep forest in a southeasterly direction toward Ebonvale. Danika made use of the relaxed stride to lure more information from Valorian.
He’d sent piles of letters over the years. Letters she hadn’t answered, many of them lying unread. Perhaps if she’d reached out, even once, they’d be companions rather than acquaintances. An uneasy current spread through her gut as she played with the idea of turning back time. She’d be a different person, a different leader, and she was proud of who she’d become.
Danika glanced over to Valorian as he rode with nimble ease, poised and proud in his saddle like a true prince. “Why did you send so many letters?” Her voice came out softer and more vulnerable than she would have liked. Valorian’s hands fidgeted with the reins. His features grew guarded, as if he debated between telling her a sweet nothing or the stone, cold truth. “Because my father told me to.”
Danika nodded solemnly. She’d suspected such an answer, but didn’t think he’d give in to total honesty. Reality slapped her in the face, and a sliver of disappointment cut through her heart. She thought his advances of late had had some ring of truth, that he’d felt something for her. Hearing about his adherence to duty made him more real, someone she could relate to. Ironically, the truth drew her toward him even more.
Valorian pulled on his reins, turning his horse toward hers, stopping them both. “For many years I sought you out of duty. My father lectured me endlessly on how our two kingdoms would benefit from joining. I believed in his ideal of a strong union, so I wrote to you out of my love for my father, out of love for the House of Song and all the minstrel kingdom represents.”
He grabbed her reins and pulled her closer toward him. Their horses sniffed in annoyance, then obeyed. “Now it’s much, much more. I had no idea how beautiful and strong-minded you are, how your courage is inspired by a deep love for Ebonvale and how you fight for its security.”
Danika’s heart sped and every moment flew by too fast to grasp. She wanted to hold onto each word, studying these new, blossoming feelings. “Valorian--”
“Danika, you’re everything I’ve sought without knowing it.” He reached forward and grasped her hand, squeezing her palm as if he could hold her next to him forever. “I know now.”
The wheels creaked as the carriage rounded the bend, spooking their horses apart. They broke contact. Danika regained control of her reins and pulled a safe distance away, not wanting Bron to see them so close. Valorian gave her one last longing look, then continued forward.
Danika sat on her steed, unmoving, processing what had just happened. Valorian had so much as professed his love for her in a matter of seconds, turning her entire world around. She could no longer ignore and delay their relationship and what their union meant for Ebonvale. Their quest was almost at an end.
“Something the matter, Princess?” Bron had caught up, waking her from her trance. Nip had fallen asleep in his arms and snored peacefully, leaving the two of them to speak freely.
“We’re almost home.” Danika looked away as a surge of melancholy hit her. “So much is going to change.”
“Aye.” Bron’s face was stoic, his tender mouth solemn. “But, some things will never change.”
Danika snapped to attention, studying the warrior’s scarred face. What meaning did his words have? Their relationship would never change. His and her duties would never change. His feelings for her would never change. So many possibilities sat unspoken between them. If he wanted her to know, it would be better to say his feelings now than in the castle, full of listening ears and fluttering tongues.
She opened her mouth to ask but Bron had already snapped the reins, spurring the horses pulling the carriage forward. He spoke over his shoulder. “Ebonvale awaits.”
The castle’s ivory turrets poked through the tree line up ahead, decorated by Ebonvale’s purple and green flags fluttering in the breeze. A wash of emotions came over Danika. It was the only home she’d ever known. First and foremost, she thought of her father and his big, gentle hands full of callouses and scars from battle, his scratchy beard and his emerald eyes--eyes she’d inherited from him. She remembered how he had gazed at her with fondness, as if she was the only thing in the world that brought him happiness.
Then she thought of her mother. Since seeing her in the forest, her emotions had morphed from confusion and hate to pity and maybe more. She still had to sort those feelings out, and she didn’t know where she’d end up. Danika sighed, riding down a path into the valley of orchards where she and her mother used to walk. It didn’t matter, because she’d probably never see her again.
As apple and pear trees surrounded them, Danika’s thoughts turned to Bron and all the mornings he’d spent training her against her parents’ wishes. If only they’d known she’d need that training more than ever when they were gone. He’d come to the castle when she was still a young girl, but he’d made a lasting impression from the first time she saw him fight so bravely on the tournament field. He’d given her so much by believing in her abilities, by teaching her that a girl—now a woman--could fight as well as any man. How could she look at Ebonvale and not think of Bron?
As they neared villagers collecting ripened fruit in baskets, she pulled her hood over her face. Her dusty, dirt-stained travel clothes provided the best disguise. She would appear as the princess’ messenger and nothing more.
The orchards tapered off into a golden field of wheat. Up ahead, the stone walls of the palisade rose with archers positioned at even intervals throughout.
Valorian pulled back on his reins. “I can go no further.”
Danika halted by his side, a warm breeze caressing her cheek. “You’re not going to come in? At least for a day to rest?”
He smiled. “I wish I could.” His gaze traveled to the busy gateway bustling with traders, villagers and castle dignitaries. “Let’s just say minstrels are not highly regarded in Ebonvale at this time.” His eyes grew mischievous. “Someday, I’d like to change that.”
Bron’s carriage caught up, and he and Nip jumped out. Valorian dismounted and walked to them, offering his hand. “My journey takes a different path. I will return to the House of Song and prepare our minstrel army, bringing my father news of our success and what is to come.”
“Very well.” Bron took his hand. “You have proved yourself a worthy ally, and I commend your abilities, as well as express my gratitude again for saving my life.”
Valorian bowed his head. “You are a truly courageous and honorable man. Your respect is enough.”
Bron nodded but frowned as if he didn’t believe him. Danika wondered why the fact Valorian had saved his life irked him so.
Nip dug into his shirt and pulled out the pendant Valorian had given him in the forest. The boy bowed. “This belongs to you.”
Valorian accepted it, placing the cord around his neck. “Thank you for guarding it, son. Someday you may have one of your own.” He ruffled the boy’s hair. “You’re in good hands. Be good and we’ll meet again.”
Bron lifted Nip to the carriage and climbed in after him. He nodded to Danika. “We’d best be on our way to deliver this metal to the forge. Say your goodbye in peace.”
The carriage hobbled away. Why did Bron leave her with the minstrel when just two days ago he was reluctant to wake him? Had he given up? Surrendered himself and her to her rightful fate? No. She couldn’t believe he’d abandon her or else she’d lost him as a confidant and friend. Perhaps he was concerned about bringing the metal to the forge. Aye, that’s all it was.
She dismounted and approached Valorian. His silver eyes held a swirl of emotions: fondness, melancholy and a special sparkle reserved for her. She touched the new scars on his face. His skin was no longer flawless, but she thought him handsomer because of the scars. “Thank you for saving Bron.”
He threaded his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I have to admit, I didn’t think he was alive. But, you were right. Your persistence saved his life, not I.”
Danika paused. The next she’d see him they would be going into battle. There wouldn’t be another moment like this. “I was wrong about you. I’m sorry I never returned your letters.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” He leaned his head down and his nose brushed against hers. She opened her lips slightly. Doubt and a fierce loyalty to Bron kept her from leaning forward to kiss him.
“If you do not try, you’ll never know,” he whispered.
Danika rose on the tip of her toes and pressed her lips against his. So soft, so smooth, so gentle, so sweet. Valorian kissed her back with restraint and respect. She was a princess, and he a prince. A long, drawn-out courtship should have taken place before they even touched. Danika pulled away, still digesting her feelings. A life with Valorian meant many things, good and bad. She’d live in the House of Song and follow in her mother’s footsteps by moving to a new kingdom through marriage and by choosing a minstrel lover. Most of all, choosing Valorian meant leaving Ebonvale and Bron.
Valorian smiled, but it was sad. “Farewell, Princess. A long journey awaits both of us. I hope to see you at the end.”
She knew he hoped they’d be together, but she couldn’t promise him anything. Danika had a lot to think about and very little time.