Chapter 26 Days passed, and Luella stayed in her chambers. Outside, preparations were being made for the coronation day. She heard the wild beating of the ceremonial drums, saw the scarlet flags of the royal house unfurled and raised in honor of the new king. Quietly, she watched, she waited, she wondered. The royal tailor created a stunning gown for the coronation celebration, but Luella merely cast a weary eye over it and moodily went off to sit in her big bay window. People had gathered from all over the country to see the new king and the city streets were tumultuous. The palace was in the midst of being decorated with outlandish and exquisite finery fit enough to honor a god! Young women, upon hearing that this new king was unwed, flocked to the palace in hordes, dressed in clothes all the colors of the rainbow, tittering in high feminine voices about the handsome young king-to-be and the ball that would take place after the coronation. Luella secretly scoffed at their foolish vanity while playing the part of a hospitable hostess and poised princess. It seemed as if everyone but she were eager and pleased about the coronation of the king. Matrim at first had shared Luella’s speculative thoughts about the stranger until one day the excited fifteen year old burst into her room, calling excitedly to her. “Luella, listen! Uncle told me that when he is king, he shall make me a messenger in the army! And in three years, I shall be made a Sergeant! Imagine, sister, a Sergeant! Hurrah! Isn’t Uncle the kindest man you ever met?” Flushed, Matrim plopped breathlessly into a chair; waiting for his younger sister’s burst of admiration and surprise. But Luella sat silent, thoughtfully turning this over in her mind. “He is too kind, Matrim. The man frightens me for a reason I don’t understand.” Matrim snorted. “I don’t know what ails you, sister. He is a perfectly good fellow in all ways. Everyone likes him. In fact, Sir Meno, a noble, said the other day to him: “Milord, it seems that you have enchanted everyone in the city! In a few weeks time, you have become beloved of all the people. You, sir, are well deserving of the title ‘Enchanter!’” Matrim laughed. “Isn’t that a good one? That’s what everyone calls him nowadays—Enchanter!” Luella smiled grimly. “Yes. It is a very good name for him…the Enchanter.” * * * Marshivoc wiped the sweat out of his eyes, trembling with wrath. His other hand, sticky with blood hung at his side. The Ciris birds had gone off, but his men were disordered. Many were wounded, not seriously, but enough to hamper their march to this accursed village. Blancshoyc wrapped his arm with some gauzy material. This mission was growing more difficult than he had previously imagined. He gestured for the men to regroup into their former ranks. Skeletos called out for the men to begin the march once more. So they did, but with much lower morale than they had begun with. Nervously, they continued watching the sky, fearing a second fierce attack. “We have less than a mile before we reach the village, Sir,” a messenger reported to Blancshoyc. The horseman rubbed his bristly white beard, his icy blue eyes glittering. “So close…yet so far.” Marshivoc walked in front of men, shouting words to boost their courage. “This day shall be remembered throughout the course of history, men! It shall be remembered as the bloody ending to an uprising of foolish peasants.” The men grinned knowingly at one another, thoughts of booty and plunder fleeting through their heads, for these were men who killed for excitement and filthy rewards. They listened eagerly to the appalling things that Marshivoc foretold in the storming of the village. Marshivoc smiled, knowing that they were now ready to fight, and fight like madmen. He scanned the faces of his enthralled listeners. Suddenly, they seemed to be distracted. Marshivoc narrowed his eyes. What was captivating their attention? There was a deep throbbing sound like a distant rumble. It was growing louder and louder, more and more distinct. Frantically, the red rider groped through his mind as to what it was. Just as he realized what and where the sound came from, round the bend thundered hundreds of cattle in full stride. Lolling tongues, rolling eyes, the panicked and enormous creatures had no time to stop. Maddened, they plunged straight through the cavalry men, killing many instantly. Trampling, goring, crushing, the cattle made their destructive path through the men. Blancshoyc was one of the few survivors, and now he saw what had caused the devastating stampede. Hundreds of village women came charging down the path in full battle cry. With pitchforks, brooms, shovels, sticks and stones, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, widows used everything they had to defend their children and homes. Together, they sent the small remainder of the cavalry scurrying down the path in a humiliating defeat. It was a cheerless victory. The women set down their makeshift weapons and wept over the bodies of their wicked enemies, while rejoicing that they and their families were yet safe. With many tears sprinkled upon them, the bodies of the soldiers were buried in a grassy glade in the valley. Andrija embraced her new friends and together they took a quick count of all the women. None had been killed or wounded. Together, they spread fresh dust over the path, and gathered up the winded cattle, returning them to their respective pastures where the poor beasts thirstily gulped up great draughts of water from the village pond. As the women returned to the great rock to continue their vigil under the sinking sun, there arose a great cry among them. Their men were returning. The longest day they had every experienced in their lives was over! * * * The chill winter wind whipped at Luella’s dark curls as she stood in the courtyard with hundreds of the Enchanter’s nobles. Tears moistened her pale cheeks as she waved her finest handkerchief. Matrim was leaving to join the army as a messenger. The boy, tall for his age of fifteen years, sat straight and square-shouldered upon a prancing bay stallion. The horse tossed its rippling black mane nervously, the whites of its eyes rolling with excitement. Matrim waved down at his sister, grinning breathlessly. “I’ll make you proud one day, Luella! I’ll be back.” He leaned down from the saddle and planted a kiss on his younger sister’s forehead. Luella smiled weakly and smoothed his black hair affectionately. “Matrim, remember always our parent’s teachings. Be pure in mind and action. Be prudent. Farewell, dear, dear brother.” Luella backed away slowly, holding her rich skirts up from the puddles and mud about her feet. Suddenly, a willowy red-haired girl swayed confidently out from the crowd, two younger girls in tow. These were the Counselor’s daughters, the close playmates of Luella and Matrim. Layleh, the tall girl, led her sisters, Almae and Carina, to the stamping bay stallion. They all looked up into Matrim’s face. “Oh Matrim! I do wish you wouldn’t go,” burst the youngest girl, Almae, impulsively. Carina nodded agreement, running her plump childish hands over the horse’s smooth sides. “Stay here, Matrim. Please. We’ve had such good times together, haven’t we?” Luella came up and stood close behind the girls. Almae suddenly burst into tears, and hid her face in her hands. The oldest girl narrowed her eyes and glared down at her youngest sister. “Be quiet, will you?” she snapped. Luella took Almae gently in her arms. “Don’t worry, dear. Matrim will be back soon, safe and well.” Layleh looked fiercely at Luella. “As usual, you are spoiling the child.” “Kindness does not spoil children, Layleh,” Luella returned quietly. Matrim rolled his eyes, sighing. “Layleh! Luella! Will you two stop quarreling? Layleh, wish me goodbye, for I must go.” The red haired girl’s angry frown was immediately replaced with a sweet, syrupy smile. “You’re so very brave, Matrim.” She sighed deeply, fluttering her thick black lashes like butterfly wings. “Return soon. Here is this to remember me by.” She removed a red silk ribbon from around her waist and tied it about Matrim’s forearm. Matrim looked at it, surprised. Unable to speak, he nodded briefly and dug his heels into the stallion’s sides. Together, they sped down the castle courtyard, out the gates, and away into the distance. Luella watched until she saw him no longer. He was gone. Through her mist of tears, she turned away, catching sight of Layleh. She stopped, startled at the expression she saw on the older girl’s face. It was a cold smile that hovered upon Layleh’s lips as she gazed into the evening sun. * * * Miss Biggs paused suddenly, as the room darkened. “Good gracious! The sun is setting, and you haven’t unpacked your satchel. Hurry to your chamber and change into the nightgown you’ll find there. Then come into the kitchen, girl, and we’ll have some supper. I’ll resume the story there.” Luella’s glowing eyes had closed long since, and now she tossed and murmured in a fitful slumber. The gray-haired nurse’s stony face seemed to soften as she bent over the girl and brushed back her midnight black hair with a tender hand. Then, she straightened and walked out of the room. Jane lingered in the ghostly dimness, unable to take her eyes off the slumbering form in the chair. She timidly approached the rocker and placed her hand on Luella’s. “Somehow, Luella, I will find out what sort of enchantment holds your mind captive. And I will free you for your sake and the sake of your brother.” With that, Jane slipped silently from the room. Clouds parted and the moon shone in through the small cottage window. The ghostly form in the chair lay still as a statue. Moments passed. Luella’s eyes fluttered open for a brief moment. Her lips opened feebly as she silently called her brother’s name. Then her head fell across her outstretched arm and she once again became unconscious, nightmarish visions whirling like snowstorms in her restless slumber. Moments later, Jane tiptoed through the cottage in her bare feet like a small ghost in her snowy white nightgown. A few candles flickered in the kitchen, where Miss Biggs stood in a pink flannel wrapper, ladling two bowls full of warm vegetable soup. Miss Biggs spoke without turning. “Sit on the stool beside the fireplace, girl. It is a cold wind that blows tonight.” Jane meekly sat and murmured thanks as the woman passed her a steaming bowl. She had been so interested in Luella’s story that she had never realized that she was hungry. Miss Biggs smiled wryly, sitting down opposite her in a worn old rocking chair. “Now…” The gray-haired woman gave a little sigh of satisfaction as she lifted her aching feet to a foot stool and leaned back comfortably in her chair. “Let me continue on with the story before it takes me a fortnight.” Jane stared into the fire, the leaping flames casting dark shadows about the small area. Soothed by the warm fire, her stomach full of soup, and pleased with the thought of a good story, she smiled and leaned her weary head on one arm. Her eyelids shut and she slept, but in some mysterious way she continued to hear and see the happenings of the story in her dreams. * * * It was the night of the great ball. Luella paused at the great wooden doorway as her nurse fussed over her curled hair. Nurse Biggs turned her around and looked over her skeptically. Luella smiled. The gray-haired woman had a stern exterior, but Luella knew that inside was a warm heart, loving and fiercely loyal. Being practically raised by her dear Nurse, Luella had never been closer to another since her mother’s death. Nurse Biggs nodded approvingly and gave one of her rare and warm smiles as she took a pair of diamond earrings from a small velvet box. The girl was dressed in a simple sea-green gown, the diamond earrings glittering through her curls. Her emerald eyes glowed as she put up a hand and touched the earrings. “Mama’s?” Nurse Biggs dabbed hastily at her eyes. “Yes, m’dear. They were your charming mother’s. She wore them to her first ball, just like you. There, there,” she managed thickly. “Don’t cry! Your eyes will redden awfully. Compose yourself, m’dear. There. That’s a good girl. Now go. Enjoy yourself. Straighten your back, don’t slouch, remember.” Affectionately, she watched as her little charge walked into the crowded room. The trumpets sounded, announcing the princess’s arrival as the dancers paused and parted for the girl. Luella stepped down the red carpet towards the throne where the Enchanter sat, a gold crown set upon his dark brow. His deep-set, dark-rimmed eyes were unblinking and they fixed on the girl approaching him. His head set back haughtily, he waited. Luella had arrived at the throne. All customs called her to curtsey at the throne as a sign of respect to the new king. A chill went up her spine as she deliberately met her uncle’s eyes. She was frozen, immobile. She could not move. Back by the doorway, Nurse Biggs stared, mouth open. What ailed the child? The girl stood there like a pale statue in her gown. Around her, the nobles shifted about in their shoes. Something was wrong. Luella was gazing into the Enchanter’s eyes. She saw cruelty, deceit, and a darkness so deep that she could drown, lost within its murky depths. Just then, the Enchanter stood, advancing towards her. He coldly extended his arm, and woodenly, she took it. As the music began once again, he turned his bitter eyes to her. In an awful tone, he said, “Niece… you have undone yourself. What disrespect you have just committed can never be pardoned.” Luella could not reply, her abhorrence for this wicked person so choked her. Whirling about, the Enchanter left her. Luella took a deep breath, her hands trembling violently at her sides. When she looked up again, a tall fair-haired boy stood before her. “Roland!” Luella whispered as he took her hand and guided her to the refreshment table. Quietly, he gave her a glass of water and Luella gulped it down. Her brother’s closest friend, Roland, was a year her elder and a year younger than Matrim. He brushed his hand across his head until his hair stood up on end. His eyes flashing, he spoke in a hoarse whisper. “You stubborn little fool! Why couldn’t you have paid the proper respects to the new king? Don’t like him, eh? Too proud to curtsey, eh? You are just like your brother, you know. Both of you so strong willed!” For a moment he muttered darkly to himself. Luella and Matrim had grown up with Roland, and Luella knew that however many harsh words he said, he loved them both dearly. She knew that he had been frightened for her safety. But it was pleadingly that she gripped his hand in her small one and met his eyes. “Please, Roland, don’t be angry with me!” Roland, looking down into her serious face, softened. “You have some explaining to do.” “It’s all very simple, Roland. I do not feel safe with him as our king! He is too slippery and cunning. By means of flattering the court, he has come to power. I have no doubt that by corruption with riches and positions, he will gain even more power, becoming a dangerous ruler. How can I pay him my respects, when I have no faith in him whatever?” Luella ended. Roland shook his head, bowed stiffly, and stalked away. * * * Miss Biggs stirred up the fire with a poker and Jane jolted awake to watch the brilliant sparks fly, dim, and fade. “That was Luella’s first disagreeable incident with that man.” Miss Bigg’s face was pale and fierce as death as she spoke the last two words. “But I think I will end Luella’s story here for the evening. You are tired. You must rest.” “No, please,” Jane begged, “Tell on.” Miss Biggs smiled wryly. Then she folded her worn old hands on her lap and continued her narrative. * * * Luella sat at her wooden writing desk, quill pen in hand, writing a letter to her brother, Matrim. He had been gone for half a year now. It seemed so very long since she had seen him last. What would he look like now, this elder brother of hers? He would be sixteen now. After a moment, she set down the quill and sat back in her chair, deep in thought. A small bell in the hall rang three times. Luella stood up, smoothing her dress. It was time for her daily embroidery lesson. Turning, she reached for her sampler. It was not on the small tea table to her left, where it usually was kept. Then she remembered that she had taken it with her to the Palace Pond last afternoon for the small luncheon. Calling out to Nurse Biggs that she would be back in a moment, Luella snatched up her shawl and left the room. Luella made her way through the castle, navigating through small passageways, avoiding the large main halls where she might meet up with crowds or large dinner parties. Finally she came to the rear gateway. The guards, upon seeing her, immediately made way for her to pass, clanking mechanically to attention. Pulling her shawl over her head and knotting it beneath her chin, she hitched up her skirts and ran down a path meandering through great oaks and leafy trees. Manicured bushes lined the walkway and beautiful roses bloomed everywhere. Luella pulled the shawl farther over her head as she passed by several gardeners. It would not do to be known as Princess Luella at the moment. A princess run? Never! It would be scandalous news about the palace: the Royal Princess Luella scampering helter-skelter about the grounds like a careless child. Shortly, she arrived at the pond. It was a small pool, lilies floating peacefully on its tranquil waters. Thoroughly encircled by trees, it was a serene spot for meditation and rest. Luella dodged between the foliage and made her way through the thick bushes. She scanned the bank for her sampler in vain. Wondering if it could have been shoved beneath the bushes when she left, Luella got on her hands and knees, peering beneath the prickly greenery. She saw a glimpse of white further back in the bushes, and, lowering her head, she crept slowly towards it, hidden completely from view. It was then that she heard the footsteps. Her face went red with shame at the thought of being caught crawling in the bushes, but she was too far in to get out in time! What would she do? Nurse Biggs would never forgive her if she was found out. There was nothing else to it but to remain where she was. She held her breath as the footsteps approached. And those voices! Her eyes narrowed as she immediately recognized the voices as those of the Enchanter and Chancellor Iawokim. Once, the Chancellor and she had been on friendly footing, but since the Enchanter had come, he had changed greatly, becoming very quiet and sly. Come to think about, nearly all the nobles and counselors had changed since her uncle had come to the throne. What was that? Had she heard a familiar name being said in the conversation? “…Now that that boy is taken care of…” That was her uncle’s voice, surely. But it was colder than she had ever heard it. Who was that boy? Could it possibly be…? Chancellor Iawokim chuckled. “It was a clever idea, Your Eminence. The young lad will be gone for three, four years, giving you time to establish your authority over the land. When Matrim returns, something must be done to ensure that you keep the possession of the throne. With a few armed assassins, that could easily be done.” Luella gasped inaudibly, as a chill tingling down her spine left her breathless. She leaned to one side and found that through a small opening in the bush she could spy the Enchanter standing beside the Chancellor. Her uncle flashed a wicked smile at his henchman. “That would spread too many rumors, my friend. No, do not trouble yourself at that. I have already thought of a solution. When he returns from his military travels, if, of course, he survives, ‘my nephew’ shall wed your daughter as promised. And with great riches I shall reward her loyalty to me in informing me of all that Matrim does.” The bitter tears that started to Luella’s eyes blinded her for a moment as she began to tremble with rage. The Chancellor sniggered. “You, Your Eminence, are the Prince of Deception…” A slow, dreadful smile crept upon the Enchanter’s lips. “No, not the Prince… the King… Now fetch me the Three.” Roaring with laughter, the Chancellor, rubbing his hands together appreciatively, bowed and stepped out of the ring of trees. It was many long moments before the man returned, bringing with him Blancshoyc, Marshivoc, and Skeletos. Luella shivered. She had never liked her uncle’s personal bodyguard. She had heard that they had come from the Dark Mountains in the distant west. Silent and eerie, their empty, glittering eyes seemed dead. Now they stood in a row, facing the Enchanter. “Yes, Milord?” The tall thin man with the pure white beard and icy blue eyes, Blancshoyc, addressed his master. “Men, you will meet me in the Lower Chamber at midnight. Understood?” “Understood, Milord,” the men answered as one. Turning, the ghostly three stalked away. Luella was trembling from head to toe as her Uncle turned abruptly and left. After a long moment, she crawled out of the bushes. Her mind was whirling with so many thoughts. She was furious, terrified, confused… The young princess gathered up her troublesome skirts and began to run as fast as she could back towards the castle. In her muddled state, she did not feel the three pairs of eyes following her… ________ Whoops... I apologize for the lllloooong chapter. I realized that there is soooo much finishing and tying-up stuff to put in the remaining 5 chapters. I am also sorry for saying that this chapter would explain "Luella's... er... condition," because I didn't get a chance to fit it in! I promise the "condition" will be explained in the next chapter, OK? :D
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Comments
Yes, it seems out-of-placed,
Yes, it seems out-of-placed, doesn't it? Since this is only my first draft, in my second, I will probably make Luella's "explanation" have a more active part in the story.
P.S. I know, I am going to miss seeing you in Greek class. :( However, I will not miss all the work Mr. H gives... :) I just have so much going on this year. :(
Don't worry about it...i like
Don't worry about it...i like long chapters :) I do have to echo, Annabel though -- it would have been nice to get her "condition" a little bit earlier in the story. Not to be critical or anything, but it almost seems like you're starting a whole new book now that the peasants have been victorious. Other than that...I LOVE THIS STORY. The way you wove the Luella's story and the battle together was, was, just AMAZING :D Keep it up.
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"To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it." -- Herman Melville
Wait, so who's daughter is
Wait, so who's daughter is going to marry Matrim? Oh no, I have a horrible idea, I hope it's not true...
"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question." - Harun Yahya
Cool!
It does seem to be a little late to explain Luella, but who cares! It had me on the edge of my seat!!!! Please hurry and post the next part so it can be resolved!!
Hehehe, and good luck with fitting all the wrapping up into 5 chapters...my books always seem to be onger than I expect. I thought the one I finished recently would only be 90,000 words and it ended of being 101,500 words!!! :0)
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And now our hearts will beat in time/You say I am yours and you are mine...
Michelle Tumes, "There Goes My Love"
I know! I have no idea how I
I know! I have no idea how I am going to finish in 5 chapters. At first, I had the last few chapters very neatly organized and outlined, but, starting to write... I find out it is going to take me much longer than planned!! When I do finish, I am going to sit down... take a nice, deep breath...
...then I will jump up and dance around wildly, screaming, "YYYYYYIIPPEEE!" And then sit down and sleep for a month.
~Teal :)
I don't know how I missed
I don't know how I missed this chapter, Teal. As always, I love it!
I hope you didn't take that thing I said in the wrong way, it was pure curiosity, and I think your'e doing perfectly with timing and everything, and at the time I had thought that that was the end of what the nurse was telling her.
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The best stories are those that are focused, unassuming, and self-confident enough to trust the reader to figure things out. --
http://lauraeandrews.blogspot.com/2014/05/dont-tell-me-hes-smart.html
Didn't get a chance to comment earlier...
Hurray! Another chapter! The only problem I have is that it seems just a little bit late in the book to explain Luella's condition--but you're doing the explaining remarkably well, so that's not a very big problem. And other than that, good job!
p.s. We'll miss you in Greek. :-(