Bituin: Queen of Aourterde

The Past - II

We stood hand in hand as the gates were pulled open, I watched as the three grand and overly decorated carriages bring them in. The Manducray’s are vastly known for their pompous ways and high lifestyle. They were known to have mountains of gold and were people of high demand and lavish taste but despite all of that we rely on our twenty year old friendship to help us through the trying time we going through.

“Oh my dearest heaven did I just step on mud?!” Ariel complained as soon as her feet landed on the ground. I quickly think of something to help her out, turning I ask one of the nearby stable boys to bring her something to walk on, though it were only a few steps to the entrance of the main hall it was best to give her something before she complains further.

“Greetings, Ariel welcome to our home I hope your travel was easy.” I said to her with a large smile on my face. The stable boys laid a few sheep skin on the floor and she tiptoed on top of them as she walked towards Jedidiah and I.

“My wonderful Mahalia, how lovely it is to see you again. The travel was comfortable as you know how our carriages are so well made with the best quality material and cushions one cannot help but travel in style and comfort so absolutely no complains about my travel.” She says with her head held high. Her husband and old playmate of my mine, Akio Dakila, steps forward and takes my hand, “My lovely Mahalia,” he raises my hand to his lips and kisses it lightly. I bow down to him just a little.

“Why such formalities for an old friend Mahalia, please rise.” His light grey eyes shone with glee and I hold back from jumping in for a hug, we are in the eye of the public and not forgetting that Arial, his wife, despises my friendship with him, it had been years since I last saw him. “I see that you are with child. I must congratulate you, you have awaited many years for this.” He smiles a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He pats Jedidiah on the back and they both walk inside congratulating each other. Akio and Ariel just had their second son together, a little babe she refuses to let me take a closer look at.

I walk them to their bedroom and their travel companions too. Jen and the other maidens help with taking the bags to their bedrooms. “Ariel this is your bedroom, I will a have lady bring a bed for the babe and run a bath for you. I’m sure you would like to get refreshed before we have our supper.” She looks at the bedroom but doesn’t voice out her opinion with which I am most grateful for. I leave her to get herself settled and leave wanting to go hear from Clarissa, our visitor had awoken and I needed to go see her.

A maiden comes running to me, “My Queen, The king has forgotten his papers I realize he is meeting with the King Manducray I fear disturbing them” She hands me a couple of letters and I agree to give them to him for her.

I change course and walk across to Jedidiah’s study.

----

(JED)

“Are you positive that you do not want to rest first before we start speaking of trade and other matters of work? I fear I will tire you.” I ask Akio when I hand him a cup with his favourite wine.

“You seem to have forgotten who I am Jedidiah, I am a man of hard work, I take no liking of little rests I shall rest when I finish my work. So tell me old friend, what is that has gotten you so shaken that you had to call me from so far?”

“Akio, old friend, I do not know what sorcery has gripped itself to my kingdom. The rest of the Kingdoms of East are dying, the crops are dying before they rise. Carriages of trade going to the West and the North have been attacked countless of times. I have lost many men, if the crops keep dying I will have nothing to feed my people, I fear my kingdom is facing possible downfall. I feel someone has cast an evil eye on this Kingdom for I do not have another explanation for what is happening.”

He watches me closely before he responds, “That is worrisome news Jedidiah, how will the Kingdom continue without crops or the means to trade. I have heard of some rumor, I thought it was all false but hearing you say so has my heart gripped with fear.” He says solemnly.

“Speak up Akio what is it?” Moving to the edge of my seat.

“I do not know how much of it is true but I heard that someone has enticed the North against you, I do not know much, which is why I had sent my son Jonas to look into it and come here as soon as he finds out something. I await his arrival to hear more. You do know that the north is rather famously known for their sorcery I am not surprised that they are capable of…killing your crops. I will do whatever I can to help you out of this. You can use my carriages for your trade until we find a better solution to your problem, although...”

“Although what Akio?”

“I would need something from you. You and I have been friends for a very long time Jedidiah, so we are basically like family to each other. So why not make that possible, I will give you an entire army of one hundred and fifty thousand men and horses plus carriages and my sorceress. We can build a good relationship through this,”

“What is that you are saying?”

“Your first daughter is to wed my son.” I remind quiet at his words.

“Think of it this way, Jed,” He stands up and paces around the small study. “We will become family, the North will get to know of our relationship and will know of your good nature and banish the rumors. They cannot attack you if they know how close you are to me, they need me and my trades and you need to save this kingdom.” He stood watching me closely.

I felt my heart contract at his words, could I really leave my coming daughter with no choice on who she gets to marry. Would Mahalia ever accept this, if she knew of the many lives this would save would she agree to this?

“Akio…”

“I know you need time to think, this is an issue you would probably like time to ponder over a couple of days but tell me, is your kingdom willing to wait that long. The whole of East is yours to save Jedidiah, many lives and families depend on you. I’m sure you know that.”

A soft knock came from the door and I stood to go open. Mahalia stood at the door rubbing her swollen belly smiling up at me. “My Queen is it time for supper yet” I asked placing a kiss on her forehead. She responds by smiling and handing me a few letters. “No not yet dear I thought the guests should refresh themselves before we serve the food, you had left these, one of the maidens handed them to me.” She peeked through and saw Akio sitting on one of the chairs inside my study. “Are you tiring him out with talk of work Jed?” she gave me a look before entering the room.

“He is a man of work love, he hears no words of rest, trust me I had tried.”

“Is that true, your majesty or is my husband imposing on your rest time?”

“Queen Mahalia your husband has not let me have a single moment of rest and insists we begin working as soon as possible. I do have a babe to go see but he just refuses to let me go.” Akio smiles slyly as he lies through his teeth to get me into trouble. Mahalia turns to look at me with shock. “Jed!”

“You trusting his word against mine?” I throw my letters at him before he walks out to meet his wife. I turn to my now angry wife and try to ease her. “My beautiful queen” I kiss her cheeks but she still doesn’t smile so I plaster kisses all over her beautiful face, neck and hair until she laughs.

“Stop it, Jed stop” she runs out of my arms and towards the door but I stop her before she leaves.

“Where is my queen heading to now?”

“I am going to see the lady with Clarissa, I need to see for myself that she is doing well.” I agree with her and kiss her one last time before letting her go.

I let her leave and head out to our bedroom to freshen up, too many thoughts run through my kind. I am worried, the whole of East depends on this.

----

Clarissa is placed a little outside of the castle and so it’s a little walk to get to her. I take a few girls with me who insisted to not let me go alone. We walk alongside each other and I watch the sky noticing how the day slowly fades into night. Lift my head to feel the light breeze blowing and caress my babe who seems to be loving the breeze too.

“We have arrived your highness.” Cerina says, she places our bags on the floor and taps the door lightly. Clarissa opens her door smiling at us. “Welcome my Queen, you arrived just in time, she has awoken again after a short nap.” The maidens take in the bags of food and clothing into the house and I follow after.

Clarissa walks us into her house further down a walkway and into a small room. The stone room only has a single bed and table. The figure on the bed shifts to face us as soon as we arrive. She looks frightened. I tell the others to leave and I am left alone with the lady.

“Do not fear, I will not harm you. I want to find out about you. Who are you?”

“I know you will not. You are the one that found me and saved my life. I owe you my life now I am at your service until my last breath. I am Tala”

“No my dear you do not owe me such a debt. I am just glad that you are in good health. Where are you from Tala?”

“I am afraid that if I were to tell you, you might not…you might not… I would rather not say my lady please pardon me.” She looked away from me. I sat next to her on the bed. I embraced her, she looked like she really needed it. “That is fine, you will speak when you are ready. I shall wait.” She lifts her head to look at me, her chocolate coloured eyes stare at me. She looks at me but it seems like she is looking past me.

“You are a kind woman, I am truly grateful for your generosity. Please allow me to give you a gift as a gesture of gratitude but of course it does not pay off my debt to you.” I nod.

She closes her eyes for a brief time and magically produces a really large egg. “How did you do that?” I ask shocked at what my eyes just witnessed. Her silence tells me it is part of that which she won’t speak of.

“I assume you have now realized I am more than human,” she says hiding behind her white hair, “This is a dragon egg. A spirit dragon to be precise. It will crack on the day that she will be born and will be her companion in life. Please accept it.”

“Her? Am I having a girl? You can see it?” She shakes her head and looks sorrowfully at me. “What, What is wrong Tala?”

“I cannot see everything only glimpses of what the stars show me, and I see pain lots of it but I also see a little girl, a queen.” She looked like she was hesitating, and was hiding more from me.

Clarissa walks into the room holing a cup, “pardon me your majesty but it is time for her medicine. Is that a dragon egg?” her eyes widen. “Yes, a gift from our Tala here for the babe.” I passed it to her to have a look. She was just as amazed as I when I received it. “But how?”

“Secrets she wishes not to share yet.” I said smiling down at her. She hides her smile.

I return to the palace and find all the guest refreshed and waiting for my arrival. Once we are all seated, the cook and her assistances dish out and serve. The night is filled with light chatter, laughter as we discuss the past times and possible futures. The guests seem to enjoy their meal, a night with Ariel is incomplete without her complains for everything and comparisons to her own palace. We were joined by Akio’s eldest son, Jonas, and a shy Anatalia who tries to make excuses for her late appearance.

I had to keep my embarrassment hidden when I realize Jonas was the same young man she was with in the garden earlier. Jedidiah however struggles to contain his laughter passing it off as a cough or food choking him. I keep my eyes averted from the pair waiting for the best time to address their issue.

After dinner and a few fun games and dancing we all retire to bed.

“My lady, pardon me please but Alessandria wishes to speak to you about the food left behind.” Jen walks over to me. I nod and walk towards the kitchen.

“Alessandria has everyone dished a plate for themselves and their families?”

“Yes my Queen we all have but still, we have pots of food left.”

“Pack it all nicely. The guards will go deliver it to the children’s home tomorrow morning it is late hours now. Tell them to pick fresh fruits and send a share of honey and pitaya milk for them too.”

After we say our goodnights I go upstairs. With the babe growing every day it has become difficult to walk up and down stairs. Once I reach my door I hear noise coming from the lower level stairs. Did the maidens have issues packing the food again? I walk back to the staircase, “Jennifer is that you?” I hear nothing but silence, I think to move closer to the edge of the stairs, perhaps if I yell she will hear me. “Jennif-“

Suddenly I feel two strong hands grab a hold of me and push me down the stairs.