Princess of Erodaire III: Part One

      "Yes, to the dungeons, yes!" Princess Vevina, a Starry Draik cried, her face flushed with enthusiasm at being able to began her duties as a new princess of Erodaire. Upon her neck, she wore the necklace that used to adorn the neck of my mother, and a gemmed crown was lying upon her head. I glowered at this sight, and disdainfully looked away. I could not bear these actions no more.

      I, now called Lady Andra despite the fact that I am King Alastare's own daughter, stood in the back of the Great Hall, a shadow among the many soldiers grouped by the doorways. The windows glimmered like stars as the sunlight shone threw them, and everyone within the room seemed to bathe gladly in this bright light. Everyone was happy...everyone, that is, except for me, and I knew that Oldraik, the one who is to be sentenced, wasn't exactly enthusiastic either. I glanced up once more.

      This time, King Alastare seemed to be staring straight at me. I gazed into his eyes, hoping for a sign of pardon , but I couldn't find any. Instead, his eyes were dead, his face grim, and the frown was upon his lips. He was still hurt by the fact that I had helped a King's Assassin, and even though I had turned Oldraik in, he still wouldn't forgive me.

      "Lady Andra, come here," my father's stern voice rang out, echoing off the walls of the hallway. My body shook at this sudden order, but I obediently nodded and walked forward, taking my dear time before I reached the two royal thrones. The floor felt cold upon my feet, and the white cloak draped about my shoulders felt like a heavy veil of ice. I took in a shuddering breath before I looked up into my father's eyes.

      "What is it, My Lord?" I asked, keeping my voice as firm as possible and daringly looked straight at his eyes. The moment our eyes made contact, his stare faltered slightly, and he awkwardly shifted in his seat. Lady Vevina, sensing the uneasiness that had now settled upon the room, quickly cleared her throat.

      "How dare you stare straight into the King's eyes when you are merely a Lady!" she hissed angrily at me. With a quick hand gesture, she shouted, "Only a princess is allowed to stare into the King's eyes!"

      My eyes burned with hatred, but I did not let my anger show through. I took another cleansing breath before I gazed at her gleaming, yellow eyes and defiantly whispered, "Dear Princess Vevina, I would still be a princess if you hadn't taken my title away. Now if you would please quiet your fidgety self, allow me to continue the conversation that only the King and I are having."

      Princess Vevina glowered dangerously at me, but her mouth stayed firmly shut as she leaned comfortingly back upon her throne. "How dare you insult my royal highness; because of this, the distribution of food, currency, and liquids to Erodaire's towns and villages shall be decreased by 5%!"

      "What?!" I exclaimed angrily and took a few steps forward until I was eye to eye with the treacherous Starry Draik. "I insult you and you punish Erodaire's people?! What leadership is shown in those actions you insolent little-"

      "My dear, dear Andra, such a temper indeed," Vevina said with a smile when she realized that she had finally gotten through to me. "This order shall be signed by the princess, my Lady, and to my knowledge, none of the villagers have been informed of your...what do you call it...replacement, yet, have they?"

      I stood there in complete shock, my mouth agape in anger. I felt my fists shake angrily at my side, but the loathing inside me made me completely speechless.

      "Now, now, dear Lady Andra, isn't it a pity to have someone hate you for no reason at all?" Vevina said in a mocking tone before she placed her eyes on my father adoringly. "Now, my King, what was it you were going to say before Lady Andra had so rudely interrupted you?"

      I breathed in once more and retreated away from the Vevina's throne, but my fists were still clenched, and I could l clearly feel the blade that still lay hidden within my sash. I took another step backwards and bumped into something with a gasp; I turned around and came face to face with Oldraik. Apparently, I have retreated back too far.

      "Oldraik..." I whispered softly, but he did not glance at me. Instead, he was staring straight ahead, his red eyes still burning with their secrets. Regret stung my heart like a dagger in moments.

      "Lady Andra!" Alastare's voice rang out, interrupting my thoughts briefly. "Stand before the Draik which you had helped escape through illegal means of betrayal."

      With a nod, I turned around and looked straight at Oldraik's eyes. It didn't make a difference, though, for it seemed like he was staring straight through me. He was like a statue now, devoid of all feelings, and it pained me to know that I was wholly responsible for the state that he is in now.

      "You are allowed to say any last words to this Draik, for he is going to be sent away for a long time..." my father said, his voice still stern and full of the inner-turmoil that I could only relate to.

      The moment he said those words, the first things that came into my minds were to apologize to him for my betrayal...but as I continued to stare at him, this answer began to change. Like a waterfall, emotions started to fall into place, and the hate that I so vividly felt when I first laid eyes on him flooded over me. At the same time, though, his deep eyes continued to lure me into thinking that he was a friend, someone that I could trust...someone that I trust my life with. Once again, I was speechless, but this time, it was out of confusion.

      "Oldraik...I..." I began slowly, still unsure at whether what I should truly say to him. His eyes were still staring straight through me, and I could feel both my father's and Vevina's eyes gazing at my back as well. "I...say hello to Sir Barick for me..."

      Sir Barick...those two words seemed to shed a whole new light upon my life. It has been so long since I have last seen him, or heard of him...not since my father transferred all of the dungeon's prisoners to the Lonely Tower in order to create more room. My mouth felt dry after I uttered his name, and all of the words which he had spoken to me before. His last request finally rested upon my thoughts, and regret stung my heart once more. I turned around quickly and stared straight at my father.

      "Your Majesty, I request to speak in order to fill a...fill a debt unpaid," I said proudly, my head held high and my eyes glaring into my father's. I watched him carefully as he took into account the words I have spoken, and slowly nodded his head.

      "Speak then, Lady Andra," his voice rang out, filling the room with it's echoing thunder.

      "A prisoner within your dungeon wishes me to say that he has served you, your father, and your grandfather for many, long years in loyalty, and that if it weren't for his being, you wouldn't have ever been alive..." my voice quavered slightly at the last word. Although I tried my best to speak as if I knew the meaning of these words, they still confused me completely. I focused my attention once more upon my father, my king, hoping that some sort of realization would spring into his face.

      King Alastare stared at me, his eyes still dark and shadowy; if he did recognize the meaning of the words, he did not show it. Instead, he gave one quick nod and said, "All is said and done. Send the prisoner to the northernmost tower of the castle. Put him under heavy guard," and with those words he stood up, the shape of his body hidden behind his crimson cloak, and walked briskly away.

      "You heard His Majesty!" Lady Vevina said in her authoritative tone, "take him away." With a sneer upon her lips, she glanced down at me with hatred before she swept herself off the throne and followed my father's lead.

      I stood there, both stunned and calm, as I heard the guards tug angrily at Oldraik's chains and lead him towards the North Tower. I wanted to desperately reach for my dagger and help release him, but whenever these thoughts fell into my mind, my father's eyes filled my gaze. I gave out a heavy sigh as a heavy, wooden door boomed as it fell shut, separating me from Oldraik for good. Once again, my thoughts drifted over to the words that Sir Barick had spoken...

      ...she'll become a great Queen and a heroine... just like her mother...

      I scoffed at these words.

To be continued...