The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Roderick rode towards the Sentinel Fortress with his brother at his side. The Sentinel group had returned last night, and Roderick didn’t want to delay even one day in his attempt to rescue Dracia. She had already been in Navalia too long, and he worried what they could be doing to her at every moment. Belleth seem to need her for something, but that didn’t mean she would be safe from her, Darron, or anyone else who lived in the winter palace.

They quickly arrived at the western entrance of the Fortress, both whispering to their horses before dismounting and walking in the front door. They were greeted by two Elites who both nodded to them as they walked towards the hall to meet with some of the Upper Elites.

“Galen,” said Tomas as he walked up to Galen and Roderick. “You are well, I trust.”

“Yes, and I am glad to see you made it back as well. I hope Cara is safe too?”

“We are both well, though tired of course. She is currently helping with the horses at the moment,” said Tomas. “How is the king?”

“Physically, he is doing better,” said Galen. “He will be weak for some time and need to stay in his rooms, but he should recover rather quickly.”

“Good,” said Tomas as he scratched the back of his neck as he looked at Roderick. “What will we do about the High Captain?”

“We will get her back,” said Roderick looking down at Tomas. “We are here to come up with a plan, so you will have to excuse us, Tomas.”

Tomas nodded as Galen and Roderick walked on into the hall to find most of the Upper Elites sitting at the High Captain’s table talking quietly.

“Roderick, Galen,” said Cian as they all stood. “How is our king today?”

“He is doing as well as can be expected,” said Roderick as he walked up to the table. “His injuries will heal in time, but he will not be truly well until his queen is back by his side.”

“None of us will,” said Cian as Roderick and Galen sat down with everyone else.

“How many Elites did we lose in the battle?” asked Roderick.

“Twelve Elites and four Novices,” said Justin. “We would have lost more had the Navalians not retreated when they did. Several were injured, but they will recover.”

“May they rest easy,” said Roderick as they all bowed their heads. “Now, we must see to rescuing our High Captain as soon as possible.”

Cian nodded. “We have already been discussing it. The first question is if she is still alive.”

“I strongly believe she is,” said Galen with certainty. “Lady Belleth wanted her alive for something. If she wanted the High Captain dead, she could have done it on the battlefield.”

“We all had hoped she was, and even if we didn’t know, we would take the chance to go try to save her anyway,” said Justin.

“It will take a few days for the Sentinel to recover, but we can all be ready to travel to Navalia within a week,” said an Elite at the end of the table.

“We do not have a week,” said Roderick. “We need to leave as soon as possible, and we do not need the full Sentinel to go save our High Captain. I think it would be better to take a small group, and find a way to infiltrate the palace and sneak her out. If we take a large force, we will only engage them in a long battle, and destroy a city with thousands of villagers who have done no wrong in this war. Dracia would not want it.”

“How small of a force are you thinking, Roderick?” asked Cian.

“Six would be enough, but eight would be ideal,” said Roderick.

“You think this is truly wise?” asked Justin as he looked at Cian.

“I believe it is what my High Captain would do, so yes, I think it is very wise.”

“This cannot be a good idea,” said another Elite down the table. “We must wait until the Sentinel is at full strength and attack Navalia. We can ask the Siccarians to join us again. The High Captain is their High Noble as well.”

“I do not think a full out battle in Port Venala will be helpful,” said Roderick. “They may want Dracia alive now, but what will stop them from killing her the moment we attack their city?”

“We also do not know much about Lady Belleth, except that she is powerful. You all saw her disappear before your eyes with our High Captain,” said Galen. “We don’t know what else she is capable of. The best thing to do is get our High Captain back as quietly as possible, and then take some time to find our next step in this war.”

“I don’t know if I can get behind this plan,” said an Elite. “The Navalians and the traitors need to pay.”

“They will eventually,” said Roderick. “No one wants more vengeance than me. Darron killed my brother in front of my mother. He has taken my High Captain, and threatened her repeatedly. I do want revenge, but I want Dracia back safely even more. We need our High Captain, and our kingdom needs our queen.”

“Who do you think will go with you on this foolish mission?” said an Upper Elite at the end of the table.

“I will go with him,” said Galen. “So will Lord Ethen.”

“I will as well,” said Cian. “I trust Roderick.”

“As do I,” said Justin.

“That is five,” said Roderick. “Will none of the rest of you go for your High Captain?”

It was quiet as each Elite looked at each other. “It is not that we do not want to go, but this sounds like a mission doomed to fail, Roderick. We do have a responsibility to our High Captain, but we also have a responsibility to our kingdom. If you want to wait until the Sentinel is truly well and ready, then I think each of us is willing.”

“And I am telling you there is not time to wait, and this is the best course,” said Roderick as he put his hand on the table loudly. “I could command some of you to come. As the High Captain’s second, I am in command when she is gone.”

“Are you still her second, Roderick?” asked an Elite near him. “You weren’t by her side in the last battle, and I believe you are a lord now. Have you given up your old title for your new one?”

“I still believe myself to be Dracia’s second,” said Roderick. “I will act as such. You may not heed my command, and I will not make you. I have five willing to go with me, it will have to be enough. We will leave in two days at sunrise from the palace. I will see you then, Cian and Justin.”

Roderick stood up as did Galen, and they walked from the room.

“I am sorry Roderick,” said Galen. “You must be disappointed.”

“No, I expected as much. They are good men, but they are not very subtle. They want to go in and show might, and that is not what we need at this moment, not with this enemy,” said Roderick.

“Do you think we can do what we need with only five?” asked Galen.

“It will be harder, but we will have to try. I cannot leave her there much longer,” said Roderick. “We are already looking at a four day ride if everything goes perfectly.”

“There are other Elites and novices here in the Fortress,” said Galen. “We could ask them.”

“I am not sure how many will join us if the Upper Elites won’t,” said Roderick.

“I know of at least two who would,” said Galen as he looked at someone at the end of the hall. “They may not be ideal, but I believe they will do exactly as you tell them.”

Roderick looked up to see Tomas and Cara both standing together before he looked down at Galen. “You think they could be helpful?”

“I saw them fight in Westmoria and in the last battle. Tomas has improved much, and Cara is more than ready to be an Elite. She is excellent with a sword, and very quick. Both could be helpful.”

Roderick nodded. “Fine, ask them if they will come. Their High Captain will fix it all with the Upper Elites when we get back,” said Roderick.

Roderick left Galen to talk with his friends as he went back to the palace. Leaving his horse with an attendant, he walked up the stairs and knocked on the king’s door. It was answered by Malven who smiled slightly as he moved out of the way to let Roderick into the room. Roderick looked around to see the king on the sofa as he drank a glass of wine, staring into the fire. Roderick walked over and stood in front of him.

“Have a seat, Roderick,” said the king as he took a sip from his glass. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you, your majesty,” said Roderick as he sat in a chair close to the sofa. “How are you feeling today?”

“Like the useless failure I am,” said the king as he finished his drink and put the glass down in front of him.

“You are not useless or failure,” said Roderick as he leaned back in the chair.

“I am, Roderick, and you know it. I have wanted so long to be with Dracia as she fights in a battle, but when it came to it, I couldn’t keep her safe,” said King Leal. “I could do nothing but lay there and die bleeding while she was taken from us all.”

“You are tired and still recovering from your injuries, and you are worried for your wife. You don’t really mean any of the things you are saying,” said Roderick.

“But I do, Roderick,” said the king. “You always believed I didn’t deserve her, and you were right.”

Roderick wiped his face with his hand and took a deep breath. “If this is how you are going to act after she has been gone for four days, then perhaps you do not deserve her,” said Roderick. “I am still willing to attribute it to your injury and your worry for your wife, but you will have to snap out of this for several reasons.

“One, you are the king of this kingdom, and no matter what happens going forward, you need to be the leader Lanoxan needs. Two, Dracia will need you to be strong for her when she returns. I will go and get your queen back, and when she returns it will not do for her to find you like this after all she has been through. And lastly…” Roderick paused.

They had not told the king about the probable fact Dracia could be with child. He and the others had discussed it, most thinking it would do nothing but cause more worries for him as he recovered. It also could not be true, though Selene seemed like she was sure in her guess. Roderick did not agree with the others. If it was him, he would want to know, and right now it seemed like the king needed to know.

“What were you going to say, Roderick?” asked the king.

“The others including your sister didn’t want me to tell you this, but I think you need to hear it. I would rather Dracia tell you herself, but it cannot be helped,” said Roderick as the king stared at him. “As you know, Dracia has been ill for some time. She has been tired and sick at her stomach. I believe she has felt worse than she let on to me or even you. Selene spoke with her and after thinking it over, Selene believes she knows what is wrong with Dracia.”

“What would that be?” asked the king.

“Selene has a strong belief that your wife is with child,” said Roderick.

The king looked at Roderick his eyes blinking rapidly for a few moments before he slightly shook his head. “Dracia is with child?”

“We do not know for sure, but Selene believes it very well could be true. She said Dracia has all the same symptoms as her sister when she first became with child. I think it could be very likely.”

The king stood up slowly and walked stiffly over the fireplace. He looked down at the fire. “She is with child, my child?” asked the king with uncertainty.

“I hope you are not questioning the queen’s faithfulness to you, your majesty, because I would take a large offense at it,” said Roderick.

The king shook his head and looked back at Roderick. “No, I didn’t mean… Its just a lot to take in. Dracia is carrying my child?”

“Yes,” said Roderick. “In all likelihood, your wife is with child at this very moment which means you are going to be a father very soon. You cannot act hopeless and sorry for yourself if you are going to be a proper father to the next king of this kingdom or even a High Noble to Siccaria.”

The king smiled slightly. “Dracia is carrying our child. We will have a child together.” He turned and looked at Roderick. “She is with child and is being held by our enemy. She must be brought home immediately.”

“I agree, and I will see to it, your majesty. I have a plan and in two days I will leave to go get her,” said Roderick. “I will not return without her.”

“I should be going with you,” said the king as he leaned against the mantle. “I can’t believe I am just standing around here while she is being held.”

“You cannot go in your condition. I doubt you could even stand the ride. The best thing you can do is stay here and get well so you can take care of her when we get back. I will not fail you, your majesty,” said Roderick. “I will not fail her.”

“I know, Roderick. I have every faith in you, and after you bring her back, I will make sure you have anything you could ever want,” said the king.

“All I want is her safe back here where she belongs. You will owe me nothing, my king,” said Roderick.

“You know that is not true. I already owe you so much, and after she is home, I will owe you everything. I will see you properly rewarded,” said the king.

“It is truly not necessary,” said Roderick.

“I believe it is and so will Dracia, but when our queen is back safe you can argue with her about it.”

Roderick spent some more time with the king at his request. Princess Lexine came in at one point to check on her brother, giving Roderick a small smile as she sat down next to the king.

“Galen tells me you will leave in two days,” said Lexine.

“Yes, I will meet with Lord Ethen tomorrow to go over our plan, and we will leave at first light the next day,” said Roderick.

“And how are you feeling, brother?” asked Lexine as she looked at the king.

“Anxious and ready to have my wife back here safe,” said the king. “Were you really not going to tell me Dracia could very well be carrying my child?”

Lexine looked at Roderick. “You told him?”

“He did, and he should have. I needed to hear it,” said the king. “How could you keep something like that from me, Lex?”

“I should probably be going,” said Roderick.

“Stay, Roderick, I would like you to eat supper with me in here. It is less than an hour until the meal, I believe,” said the king as he continued to look at his sister.

“You are not well, Leal. I didn’t want to upset you further, and we don’t even know for sure if it is true,” said Lexine.

“Roderick said Lady Selene is very sure in her belief,” said the king. “I am glad I know either way. I can’t imagine what Dracia must be feeling.”

“If she even knows,” said Lexine. “She surely didn’t know when she rode off into battle. She would never put your child in danger, Leal.”

“She will figure it out eventually,” said Leal. “I hope sooner rather than later. She is much more likely to come out of the winter palace alive if she knows she has something to live for beyond herself.”

“That is true,” said Roderick. “She never has been one for self-preservation, but if she knows she is carrying a child, she will do everything she can to protect that child.”

There was another knock on the door and Malven walked into the room.

“Roderick, or Lord Ellis I believe it is now, there is a visitor here who wishes to speak with you,” said Malven.

“Who is it, Malven?” asked Roderick.

“It is Lady Glain, my lord,” said Malven.

Roderick grimaced and gave a small sigh. He had been avoiding his mother since he found out Dracia had not come back to Winsdell. It was her doing that caused Dracia to send him away from her side. If he had been with Dracia during the battle, he could have done something to keep her from being taken.

“Tell her I am busy with the king, Malven. I will go see her when I get back from Navalia,” said Roderick.

“You should go speak with your mother, Roderick,” said Princess Lexine. “I am sure you have enough time for it. Leal will not mind.”

Roderick looked at the king as the king gave him a small smile. “You, of course, may go meet with your mother if you like. I would enjoy it if you made it back up here for supper.”

“I do not wish it,” said Roderick. “Go tell her I am not available, Malven.”

“She said she insist that you see her, Roderick. She said she will not leave until she speaks with you,” said Malven.

“Go on, Roderick. I am sure it will not take long,” said the king.

“No, this will not take long,” said Roderick as he got up and walked out the door and downstairs to find his mother waiting for him in the entry hall.

“Roderick, I am glad to see you,” said his mother. “Perhaps we could go to a nearby parlor?”

“No, we can talk here. What do you need, mother?” asked Roderick.

“Where have you been? You have not been home in three nights,” said Lady Glain. “You do have a responsibility to Low Hill now.”

“I have spoken with the main attendant over the lands, and everything is in order. I am sure you are handling the household staff as you always do. You should go back, mother. Supper will be soon,” said Roderick.

“Why are you avoiding your home?” asked his mother.

“I am not avoiding my home. I have no desire to see you,” said Roderick.

“You are angry at me,” said Lady Glain. “You blame me for your High Captain’s capture, I suppose.”

“I blame you that I was not there when she needed me,” said Roderick furiously. “You begged her to keep me from her side, knowing she would take pity on you. You took advantage of her kindness and goodness to keep me away from her.”

“I wanted to keep you from harm, not her,” said his mother. “I have no quarrel with the queen, but I could not lose you Roderick, not after your brother. You don’t know what it was like to have to have to watch him die, to see it happen and know I could do nothing.”

“I am not belittling your pain, but you were the cause of mine,” said Roderick. “Do you not understand what sorrow it caused me to hear her tell me I could not longer be her second and stay by her side? I know you do not understand our relationship, but I have told you over and over how important she is to me. Now, look where she is. She is in extreme danger, going through the king’s gods know what, alone, and on top of it all, she is probably carrying the king’s child.”

“What can I say, Roderick? I only thought of keeping you safe, of seeing you had a future. I want you to be happy. I have always wanted that for you. It broke my heart when you joined the Sentinel, knowing you would never have a wife or family, but now all that has changed. I never wanted Alaric to die, but it has at least given you the opportunity to have all you desire. You can have a life, perhaps even with Lady Selene as your wife one day. Don’t you desire it?”

“If I do, it is only because she understand who I really am,” said Roderick. “I love Selene because she knows me, and she understands a part of me will always be bonded with Dracia.”

“I do,” said Selene as she walked down the stairs towards them. “I know how important she is to Roderick. I know of the love they share, and I believe it makes him a stronger person. Dracia has helped him become the man I have fallen in love with.”

“What will you do, Roderick? Will you not come home?” asked Lady Glain.

“He will go save his High Captain,” said Lady Selene as she took Roderick’s hand. “When he comes back with Dracia, I am sure he will be more open to speaking with you.”

Roderick looked down at Selene and smiled at her. “She is right, mother. You should go home. I am leaving the day after tomorrow at dawn. When I return, Selene and I will come see you, and we will discuss the future of the manor.”

His mother shook her head, but said nothing else before she fled from the palace.

“I am sorry you have quarreled with your mother, Roderick,” said Selene as they both turned to look at each other.

“She refuses to see who I truly am. She has had many years to figure it out, and until she stops refusing to truly see her son, there will be no peace between us,” said Roderick.

Selene nodded as Roderick took her other hand. “I know this is not the best time, but you did say you loved me,” said Selene quietly. “I said it as well, and I hope you know I meant it. We have not known each other long, but I find that my heart is quite decided.”

Roderick gave her a small smile. “I meant it as well, and I am very sure.”

The leaned towards one another, as Roderick took her into his arms, kissing her in the middle of the entryway of the palace, not caring who might be watching them. When they finally broke apart, Roderick looked over to the shadows of the hall and saw Malven standing there.

“Malven, tell our king I cannot accept his supper invitation tonight. I believe I will be much engaged entertaining our guest from Siccaria.”

“Of course, my lord,” said Malven with a slight laugh in his voice.