Excerpt: The Princess Of Sharania

The two kingdoms had been feuding since the dawn of time it seemed, about what both sides had long forgotten. Perhaps it was their different ideals that divided them or maybe an argument long forgotten. Whatever the reason, they laid down their weapon decades ago in a temporary truce. Both sides knew war would happen again, but it had been so long that the people were being neglected.

It was Sharania's king that had suggested it, Sharania was typically a peaceful kingdom and was ruled benevolently. The King Karnesius had seen over the land since he's father's early death over twenty years ago, it was his father that had created the treaty shortly before he passed away. Karnesius was just 13 when he took over as king, two years later when he took his wife he would have claimed to be the happiest man alive. Shortly after marriage she was with child, in the time before her death she gave him 4 children; three girls and a boy.

His favourite child was the youngest one, Princess Linara. Although his son may have been heir to the throne, his daughter held the fondest place in his heart. She was beautiful and kind, everyday looking more like her mother. She had soft golden waves of hair that travelled down to her shoulders and gorgeous amber eyes. She was stubborn and determined, quite but outspoken when she needed to be. Linara was fearless and perfect in her father's eyes.

It was a crisp autumn morning, the trees had begun to turn not long ago and Princess Linara was helping her father get ready for the day. Though, today was not an ordinary autumn morning, more of a remembrance day. Ten years ago today the Queen passed away.

"Everyday you look more and more like your mother," The King stated as she helped him put on his robe, "I think she would have been proud of who you are becoming, Linea. You've blossomed into a wonderful woman."

The princess smiled warmly at him, "Both my sisters are betrothed. Shouldn't I be married soon, father?"

"But who would I have for council?" He laughed at her frown, "Ah, my dear you are too valuable to me to be leaving me this soon. I don't think there is a man alive that is worthy of you my dear."

"You put far too much value on me, I'm sure you would survive very well without me. You have my brother to help you, the heir to your throne," Linea insisted as she drenched a cloth in hot water for his face.

“Phillip is a good boy, but I can not talk to him like I do with you. The poor boy has not spoken of his mother since her passing ten years ago,” he cleaned his face and stood up from the bed, “You're not that eager to leave me, are you?”

“No, I suppose not, but I am sixteen and would like to have children of my own. Mother had already given birth to Elayna and Janice at my age and she would soon be carrying my brother inside of her. I do want to marry soon,” she was not going to drop the subject any time soon.

Karnesius chuckled at the stubborn look in her eyes, “You truly are as terrible as your mother,” he threw up his arms in defeat, “ All right! We'll have you married soon, on MY conditions. The first, that you and your husband will continue to live under my roof and secondly that you will only marry someone that you could truly love.”

She laughed, silently debating where exactly she actually got her stubbornness from, “Alright father, I accept your terms. Now I think, your presence is required in the throne room, so shall we?”

The princess and her father linked arms and proceeded out of the room. They walked together toward the throne room before being intercepted by Phillip, “Father, mind if I take my sister off your hands?”

He reluctantly released his daughter, “If you must.”

Linea kissed her father's cheek, before walking in the opposite direction with her brother, “So Phillip? How has your morning been today?”

“The same as this morning has been for the past ten years, sister,” he sighed. The prince and his sister could have been mistaken for twins, especially in their earlier years. His hair looked identical, aside from the length and his eyes were just a slight shade darker. He was only a year older than Linea and she was easily his closest friend.

“Brother, mother would not like you to mourn her death for so long,” She stated with slight disapproval in her voice, “She never felt the need to grieve over something for longer than a moment. She would always say simply to just breathe in the pain and to exhale it as quickly as you take it in.”

“Maybe I'm not done breathing in,” he answered in a simple manner, “How has it been convincing father to find you a husband?”

She smiled and shook her head, “You and him are very similar that way; you both have difficulty letting go. I have, however, come to a compromise with him in regards to my marrying. Meaning, of course, he has set conditions upon me.”

Her brother attempted to hide his amusement, “And what terms are those, dear sister?”

“First, I must remain in his household and that it must be someone I truly love,” She explained to him with a look of frustration.

Philip looked thoughtful, “Staying in the castle would benefit you greatly, unless of course you planned on marrying a prince. Without a doubt Linea, you are his favourite; not often is a bride allowed to choose her husband.”

“He did the same for our sisters,” she argued, thinking the two instances were the same.

“No, he asked if they would be unhappy with his choices,” He pointed out to correct her.

“And how do you know he isn't doing the same for me?” She questioned with a slightly irritated look in her eyes.

He smirked, “Because I know our father just as well as you do.”

The princess sighed, “Well I certainly hope you are wrong,” She was silent briefly while they continued to walk to the courtyard, “So how do you intend on spending your day today?”

“Well, I was hoping that my sister might find it suitable to go for a ride in the woods, and perhaps visit our hidden fortress,” Imagination was something Prince Phillip held onto with great pride, he and Princess Linea were both children when they spent a great deal of time together.

“How could I decline?” She answered with a smile, “Shall we sneak off to the stables before lunch time?”

With that, they ran off to saddle the horses for a ride to their hideaway.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The kingdom of Bardane was not an unpleasant place to live. King Solin ran a strict regime and when breaking the law, his punishments were harsh; he wasn't kind, but he knew what was best for his people. Bardane itself had little crime that went unnoticed for long. The poor, the orphaned and the homeless were taken into the army; men trained as soldiers and women as healers. If you had no money and refused the army, which was seldom done, you'd be exiled. The king would not except anyone who was not useful in his kingdom. Everyone had to earn their stay.

His wife was the cruel one, but was powerless to do anything without the King's approval. They had two sons, who were both being raised to lead. It seemed cold to some, but it was efficient and it was simply how it was done. The eldest son, Prince Dryas, had his mother's icy blue eyes with his father's chocolate hair and the younger, Prince Theron, had his father's green eyes to match his brown hair. Although the eldest would succeed the throne, the boys were always in competition; neither would betray the other, but it trained them to keep their guard.

Both men, were called into council this autumn day; it was apparent to them that whatever was occurring was going to be tremendously important. Dryas arrived early, his brother arriving shortly after. They exchanged glances with a smile and nodded. They shared little words when it came to matters of business. Then, finally, they were joined by their parents and the rest of the council.

“You may be seated,” The king spoke with presence, giving a moment for everyone to find their proper places, “I have called council today for an important matter indeed. Our treaty with the Kingdom Sharania is overdue and it is up to investigate whether this treaty would be a beneficial pact to continue. It has been nearly twenty years without war, we started this truce to rebuild; and now our kingdom is stronger than ever. In a short period of time we may fight again and our people are ready, I have come to the decision that it will be Dryas I send to discuss this with Karnesius of Sharania. As my heir, and with my waning health I am trusting his judgement to be true. I have spoke with the Sharanian king and he has assured me that no harm will come to you, Dryas. My son, spend as long as you need there to come to the decision that is best for us.”

“Father,” Prince Dryas bowed politely, “I will not disappoint you.”

Theron understood his purpose in the meeting, if anything were to happen to his brother than it would be up to him to seek Justice on Dryas's behalf.

“Your coach leaves shortly, you will be expected. Everyone is dismissed.”

The princes lingered after the rest of council had left, Theron turned to his older brother, “You knew about this before the meeting was called, didn't you brother?”

“Father and I had been discussing it, yes,” Dryas stated, with more to add, “It was I that suggested I be the one to go. Father was considering you first.”

His brother looked furious, “And you deprived me of this?! It would be a great honour to go on behalf of the kingdom! I don't understand why you would take this from me.”

“Be logical, Theron!” Prince Dryas snapped back at him, “Why would you risk your life? You would lead just as well as I would, and you are younger. It would make sense for me to go, I have less years to lose.”

Theron frowned, disappointed in himself that he would think his brother would betray him, “I'm sorry Dryas, I was not thinking.”

“It's alright brother, but be mindful of that in the future,” He advised his younger brother with a powerful pat on the back, “Come, I must get ready to leave.”

~*~*~*~*~

Princess Linea laughed at her brother as he fell in the creek, “And this is what our next king will look like?”

Phillip stood up proud and soaking wet, “You may laugh now, but keep it up and I'll have you executed.”

He climbed out of the water, shortly before hearing the trumpets to summon them for lunch. The princess stood up and dusted herself off before quickly mounting her horse, “I'll race you back.”

The two really were like children sometimes, they raced back to the castle with the princess in lead. It was safe to say, that she had successfully won. Neither bothered to change their clothes, this lunch was for their immediate family only. Everyone was there by the time the two burst into the dining hall, one sopping wet; while the other was covered in dirt. The eldest sisters shook their heads in a disapproving manner and King Karnesius tried to suppress his laughter.

They exchanged idle chit chat at lunch, hearing about their sisters' husbands and children made Linea long for her own even more. This was the one day a year where it was just the siblings and their father, after lunch they would visit their mother's grave in silence. Linea enjoyed the tradition, because it always felt like it did when her mother was still alive, and she gathered that's why her father enjoyed it too.

The late queen's gravestone stood out from the rest like a rose among the weeds. It was as if it never aged, never tarnished; it was perfect, just like her. The family stood their staring for a few moments, each dropping flowers on the grave; their mother's favourite. Save for Linea, who always left strawberries from her mother's personal garden; afterall they were her favourite thing to grow in life.

The silence ended with the King clearing his throat, “Now, there is a rather important matter I need to tell you, while I have us all together.”

He waited until he had his children's' undivided attention before continuing, “As you know, before my father died, a truce was signed with Bardane and we are most thankful for that. However, it is coming to expire soon and new negotiations need to be put into place. So I think it is important for you to know that the king of Bardane's eldest son will be staying at the palace as long as he needs for us to discuss this.”

“Do you think that's wise?” Phillip asked immediately, “Who are we to trust them?”

“From what I've gathered they stay as true to their word as we do. Still I will ask that you remain cautious for your own safety,” The king advised, “Phillip, Linea, you will both need to wash and change for when he arrives this evening. I'll call you to the hall when his carriage arrives.”

The princess cleaned herself and dressed in more elegant clothes that would be befitting of a suitable first appearance for their guest. One of the servants helped affix her hair so that it has half up, after her hair was done, her tiara was placed delicately on top. She proceeded to the hall once she was summoned, her servant holding her train as she walked. Out the three who would be present this evening from her family, she was the only one that felt comfortable and enjoyed the occasional formalities.

“And finally announcing Princess Linea of Sharania,” the page announced as she entered the room. This meant that she was last, she walked up and stood beside her father, placing a kiss on his cheek in greeting.

“Presenting to the court Prince Dryas of Bardane,” he finished introducing the kneeling brown haired man.

The King stood up from his throne, “You may rise. I would like to welcome you to our home Prince Dryas of Bardane, please do make yourself at home. It has been a long day, so please take this evening to yourself and we will start business tomorrow. I will have my daughter show you to your room. Linea? Can you please show our guest to the best room we have to offer.”

The princess curtsied in silence and walked up to Dryas, “If you'll please follow me.”

The dark haired prince found her polite and elegant as she led him to his room. He hadn't had much experience with anyone outside his castle on a social basis, but felt it would likely be very appropriate to make small conversation with the princess.

“Thank your father for me for his hospitality,” He started, in an attempt to converse.

“I'm sure my father will accept your gratitude personally,” She responded, not making eye contact but looking straight ahead.

He suddenly felt cautious of what to say, he couldn't very well say anything that would get him in trouble this early on. If this were his realm, he'd know exactly what to say; the problem was that it wasn't, “How do you pass your time?”

She smiled, “Graciously.”

There was nothing wrong with her answers, but they made it quite difficult to maintain any sort of lengthy words with her, “Do you ride?”

“Daily,” Linea responded as she finally got him to his room, “This is our finest guest suite, if you need anything, there are servants quarters down the hall and a bell bedside to call them with.”

“Will I be expected for breakfast tomorrow?” He inquired, hearing the most words out her mouth since he first seen her.

“If it is in your interest, our breakfast is informal and will take place shortly after the sun rises,” Linea advised Dryas, “Nicola can show you in the morning, if you wish?

“I do wish,” he confirmed as he sat down on his bed.

“I shall alert Nicola for you,” she said, curtseying to the prince, “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

He bowed, “You as well, Princess Linea of Sharania.”