Purpleland: Chapter 7

Plans were quickly made for my return. Marcus, showing surprisingly that he might in fact have a sense of humor however deeply buried, housed Britt in a room adjoining mine. It seemed that there was no hope of delaying the departure. That gave me only one day to speak to Alena.  I found her in the field behind the main house. There was a rock there that we had often sat on together and talked for hours. Now she sat there alone. When she saw me she smiled.

“Come here Kail and sit with me.”

I came but did not sit. “You know I have to go back.”

She nodded.

 “And I will have to stay there, perhaps for years.”

“Of course I know.” Her voice was very soft.

“I want you to come with me.”

She looked up sharply.

“As my wife.”

“Oh Kail.” There were tears in her eyes and she put her arms around me. “I should have to leave mother and father and the mountain. I should have to be queen. I should never again be free. Kail, I’m seventeen. I have so much more I want to do.”

“But Alena I love you. I would die for you. Does any of that matter if we are in love?”

“You are in love.” Her voice was not cold only sorrowful. “I do love you but I do not know yet whether I should not be just as happy loving you as a brother.”

Her words struck something in deep me and I felt as though I had been punched. I pulled away from her.

“I love you Alena. I will always love you. I will come back for you when I can.”

She just looked at me with her sorrowful grey eyes and it cut deeply that she said nothing about waiting for me.

Many men have said they would always love the woman who is at the time the object of their affection but few maintain their passion. I will swear to anyone that what I said to Alena on that day was true. I love her still and my love has never waned. Soon death will come to seal the promise as fulfilled.

Purpleland: Chapter 6

Alena’s mother slowly gained back her strength and Marcus became used to his new duties so the three of us were often together. Marcus had not really been changed by his new title and it was like the old days when the three of us were always together but now there was no secret of my love for Alena. Even Alena’s parents knew about us. As often as the three of us were together Alena and I were alone. Her mother’s illness had made Alena more solemn and she laughed less often but when she did it was an even more beautiful sound than formerly. Nor did her solemnness dampen her shining beauty. It only served to add to all her other charms a gentleness which could not fail to enthrall me even more.

I knew that my father wasn’t well and that my happiness could not last. I knew that someday soon there would come a summons and I would be irrevocably saddled with a kingdom I had never wanted. But in those days I closed my eyes to anything I didn’t want to see. I didn’t want to think about what would become of my love for Alena when that occurred so I didn’t. I enjoyed her company and her laughter and closed my eyes firmly to the future.

The messenger came about a year after Lord Stephan’s death and he did not come to tell me that my father was dead and I was king but to bring a royal summons. My father had it seems regained some of his strength and now was made fully sensible to the fact that his young son would likely be king within the next few years and had no experience ruling. He now wished to impart his wisdom so that I would be prepared to take up the reigns of the kingdom. At least that was the impression conveyed to by the messenger, one of my father’s sworn body guards, dressed all in black and it seemed ready to spit me on his sword, crown prince or no, if I did not return with him. He glowered at me as if the fact that my father was dying was all due to something I had done.

His name was Britt and he made it clear that he cared very little whether I wanted to return or not. His lord had told him to bring me and he would take me back. We would leave the next day and not all the protestation in the world could sway him. In jest, I compared him to a boulder. He gave me a look that could have permanently frozen my tongue to my sword and informed me that the boulder would be rolling tomorrow and better be moving if I had any views as to not being crushed.

Purpleland: Chapter 5

The next few months were some of the best of my life. I spent almost all my time with Alena. Marcus was constantly busy and Shay spent all her time in the library so there was no one to disturb our time together. I wanted to tell her how I felt but at that time I seemed like I had all the time in the world and I was sure she knew anyway. We explored the mountain together and talked about almost everything.  She was so beautiful. I wondered that her father had not set up a marriage for her. She only laughed and told me that she was not likely to be promised until Shay was engaged. I asked her whether that was likely to happen soon but she had a strange reluctance to talk about her sister and I let it drop.

The days with Alena lasted four months before they were cut short. Alena’s mother fell ill and Alena spend all of her time by her side. I still spoke to Alena often but usually hushed conversations of five minutes outside the sick room. I would have been happy to sit with her by her mother’s side but it would have been improper for me, a man not part of the family, to be in a lady’s bedroom for any length of time. I strove to show every solicitude to Alena and her mother. I rode for the doctor whenever he was needed. I Brought Alena food and convinced her to eat. I did my best to distract her father form the worry that was eating his mind. Marcus also spared no expense for her care and went to express his sympathy to Alena almost as often as I.

It was during that time that I developed an odd friendship with Shay. It started when I went to the library one rainy day to find a book. There I found Shay. She had her head in her arms and was sobbing. I had never really liked Shay but seeing her so touched me and she was the sister of the girl I loved. I went to her and begged to know what was the matter.  She only sobbed harder and said something unintelligible about her mother. I told her to stop crying and that her mother was getting better. And she sobbed out that it was not just that, then she looked up and there were tears in her grey eyes.

“She loves Alena. Not me. Never me. And my father too, It’s always all about Alena with them. It’s not her fault of course, she can’t help being beautiful and adored by everyone but that doesn’t make it any better for me.”

I told her that I was sure her parents loved her just as much as they loved Alena but she shook her head.

“I went to her when she first fell ill and all she did while I was there was ask for Alena. Of course Alena would be the better nurse but I wish she could have been, for a half an hour, content with me.”

I had never thought about how Alena’s obvious beauty and favor with everyone would affect her older and much more subdued sister. But I saw that what she said was true. Her parents were always talking about Alena and her accomplishments and I rarely heard them even mention the name of their older daughter. I patted Shay’s arm rather awkwardly and told her she was very beautiful and that things were sure to get better. She smiled at me with tears in her eyes which were the same exact shade of gray as Alena’s but were still so different. Then thanked me and left. After that I would talk to Shay sometimes. She was extremely intelligent and I found that she could be pleasant company. Not that for a moment I thought of exchanging my love of the younger sister for the older. I was I love with Alena, desperately, madly, forever.

Purpleland: Chapter 4

We had been there about a year and a half when we received word that Lord Stephen had grown suddenly and violently ill and was not expected to live. Marcus, of course, had to go back immediately and I insisted on accompanying him. Right before we left Marcus went to speak to his young companion. He came away looking solemn and I got the impression that things had been broken off. For what reason I could not tell but I thought perhaps that it was because it seemed likely that Marcus would soon be lord in place of his father and must either take her as a wife or be apart from her until he was secure in his lands. They were both eighteen, not quite too young to marry but to ask a girl of that age either to leave her entire family or to keep up a connection to someone who could not possibly see her for several years was difficult to say the least. I thought it likely that for these reasons he had broken off their connection or else he had offered to marry her and she had refused.

We did not reach the house in time. Lord Stephan died only a few hours before we reached his side. I was not sure what to feel as a saw the one person who had truly played parent to me white and dead in the bed he had used his whole life. A young man of eighteen is not supposed to show emotion but I have to admit I cried. Marcus did not. Even as a small boy he had inherited his father’s reserve along with his almost white hair. Marcus simply stood by his father’s body with a face like stone and said not a word to anyone.

We buried Lord Stephan with his fathers behind his castle and I stood beside Marcus as they lowered him into the grave. Among the mourners I saw Alena and her family. At first I didn’t recognize her, so great a transformation she had undergone while we were away. She was now sixteen and where she had been mildly pretty when we left she was now absolutely and completely beautiful. She was in the black of mourning and her expression matched the occasion.  But nothing could dampen the radiance of her beauty. I was struck dumb and beside me I saw that Marcus was likewise afflicted. She hugged both of us tightly and told us how sorry she was. Then she on the verge of crying told us how in the end he had never stopped speaking of both of us and how she was sure he loved both of us as any father could love his sons. I thanked her and Marcus just nodded. Then her family joined us.

 Shay had undergone a very different transformation. She was also more beautiful but where Alena was light she was shadow. Not only was her hair dark where her sister’s was light and golden but something about her made me afraid while everything about Alena comforted and reassured. Shay nodded to both of us and expressed her condolences in a voice that was low and almost hypnotic. Their parents express similar sentiments and it did not take Marcus long to convince them all to stay so that Alena’s father could help him put his affairs in order. I was very glad of the chance to be closer to Alena and talked with her the whole way back. She was still the Alena I had known and by the end of the afternoon I was very much in love.

Elgaboth the Kidnapping, Chapter 8

Anna woke early. It had been two days since they had met Angela and things were going as well as could be hoped. Kurt’s ankle was not as swollen as it had been, though he still could not walk without pain. Angela had wrapped his ankle tightly and made something like a crutch for him to lean on. Something about their relations bothered Anna. Kurt was protective of her, asking her not to go out after dark, hobbling along beside her when she went to get water. In fact the only time his depression lifted was when he felt he was helping Angela in some way. There was a clear difference in the way he treated her and Anna and, while Anna did not wish for his attentions, she could not miss what the difference implied.

In Anna’s mind Kurt had always been in love with Lucy. Ever since their third day at Elgaboth, when he had spent all evening in a lively debate with her on all subjects, he had paid her every attention, flowers when she was ill, books when she was bed-bound, long walks around the grounds on good days, reading by the fire on bad. Anna did not want to burden her cousin by asking but she was almost sure that Lucy returned these feelings. She had been conflicted over the situation for a year now. On one hand seeing two people she loved so much find each other was a joy to her. But at the same time Lucy was nowhere near Kurt’s station.  Lord Falcona was much more liberal minded than many of the other lords, but would he consent to his son and heir marrying a commoner? Anna was not sure of Kurt either. Did he even plan to bring this up to his father? Or perhaps he was simply riding the high of his feelings while he was young, meaning to marry well later. She had resolved not to interfere and to trust that Kurt and Lucy would act honorably towards each other. This decision did not preclude a fair amount of significant looks and giggling between herself and Cassie.

This new relationship with Angela, however, made Anna nervous. She was not sure if this was a reflection of his love for Lucy, protecting someone like Lucy being the closest thing to actually keeping Lucy safe, or if Lucy and Angela were both his type and he would take what he could get. For you could not deny that Angela was Like Lucy. The same sweetness forged of suffering, the same care for others. They both had studied how to care for those in pain and both gave without a thought for themselves.

Anna still knew very little about Angela’s background. About all she would say was that her mother was not strong mentally and had been unable to believe that her daughter was pregnant. Nothing would convince her and finally Angela had decided it was best she go. Anna had never been one to ask hard questions and she did not now, believing that Angela would tell her what she needed to. The thought of what to do next weighed on Anna’s mind. She wondered whether it was safe to go back to Elgaboth, assuming they could find it again, but the thought of leaving Angela alone was too terrible to contemplate. Anna Decided they should wait to attempt a return until both Kurt could walk and Angela had recovered from her child’s birth. Kurt agreed with this so the three of them had settled to life in the tiny cottage.

Anna forced herself to leave the warmth of the blanket she and Angela shared. Kurt would need water when he woke and she couldn’t have Angela walking all the way to the stream with Kurt tottering unevenly beside her. She bushed the rotting door aside and stepped out into the brilliance of the day. It blinded her for a few seconds but when her eyes had adjusted she almost dropped the jug in surprise. Straight ahead two boys stood, staring rather awkwardly at the house. The taller one was painfully thin with dark hair and darker eyes. He had a tense, coiled look. The other boy was blond with a large nose set between blue eyes. He looked more anguished than anything else as though some worry was eating him from the inside.

The taller boy sprang into action bowing to Anna and speaking. “Ma’am, could you possibly help us with something? We are looking for a young lady, only a bit younger than yourself. She would have dark hair and green eyes.”

“Why are you looking for this girl?” Anna was suddenly suspicious. She did not know much about Angela’s past but she knew that she had wanted to leave it behind for a reason.

“You see,” said the boy, “She’s my sister.” His voice cracked for a second. “And I have to make sure she is well.”

Anna’s suspicions climbed higher. Angela had spoken of her mother, stepfather, and stepsister, but had never mentioned a brother. She wondered if this was, perhaps, the one who had seduced and betrayed his Angela. “And who is he?” She asked turning to the younger boy.

The older boy shot a hostile look at his companion. “He has a debt to pay.”

          The blond boy squirmed and said softly, “I’ve known Angela since we were children.”

So they were looking for Angela. Anna was unsure of what to do. She could not know if they were enemies until Angela saw them. Unfortunately if they saw Angela there was not much she or Kurt, in his weakened state, could do to defend her.

“Wait here and all get you some water, then we can talk about this girl.”

The boys nodded, though the older one sent her a suspicion glance.

Anna hurried inside and gently shook Angela awake. “There are two people looking for you.”

Angela turned pale and looked as though she wanted to run.

“I want you to look out and tell me what you want me to do.”

Angela nodded weakly and put her eye to a crack in the door. At the sight of the boys she started violently and without a word burst out the door. She threw herself into the arms of the older boy and sobbing clung to him.

“I thought you were dead. I thought your spirit had left the earth. I mourned for you. How are you free? How are you here?” Questions and exclamations meddled into a single train of noise and Angela clung to her brother.

At the sight of Angela the other boy had turned whiter than Anna had thought possible and was looking almost sick. Anna thought he might benefit from someone to talk to so she stepped forward and introduced herself with a “Hi I’m Anna.” She wondered if he was the father dragged along by a vengeful brother and quickly cast him in the role of “seducer and betrayer”.

The potential seducer and betrayer, looking younger than ever, shuffled his feet uncomfortably. Angela was still sobbing uncontrollably into her brother’s shoulder.

“I’m Jack.” He paused. “You have to understand,” he said in an undertone. “Jordan was taken away years ago. She thought… we all thought he had died in a prison camp. And now he’s back like some sort of miracle.”

Anna nodded not fully understanding but not ready to ask anything just then.

Angela finally seemed to remember them. She smiled at Jack, who Anna was beginning to suspect was incapable of either seduction or betrayal. “Good to see you Jack.”

Jack attempted a returning smile but it did not make it to his lips. “I’m glad we found you.” He said softly.

Angela turned to Anna. “Anna meet my brother Jordan.” At the last word she started crying again and hugged him.

Anna reassessed Jordan. Now that she was no longer thinking of him as a potential seducer and betrayer he was quite good looking. There was something too thin and too tense about his tight muscular frame and something too cold in his dark eyes but now that he was with Angela even these flaws had faded slightly. He had a dark mop of wavy black hair and darker skin than his sister. He moved gracefully almost like Cassie. That thought snatched her mind away to the dark chamber she had so studiously avoided. Thoughts of what could be happening to her friends at that very moment.

Jordan nodded coolly towards her. “We will speak later about what brought you here but I thank you that my sister was not alone. My sister and I have much to speak of.” He smiled at her and she shuddered with happiness.

“Of course,” said Anna.

The walked off and sat on a fallen tree together, Angela’s young joyful voice rubbing the edge of bitterness off her brother’s face.