The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Dracia walked into the palace after visiting with the Sentinel about the impending attack by the Navalians. After doubling the patrols round the village, she told the Upper Elites she would be back after breakfast to go over their plans. Entering the doors, she came face to face with Prince Garreth who stopped and stared at her.

“Good morning, your highness,” said Dracia with a small curtsey. “I hope you have slept well.”

“I did. Thank you,” said the prince as he continued to stare at her.

“Were you coming down to breakfast? If you were, would you mind if I walked with you?”

“No,” said he prince. “I mean no, I would not mind if you walked with me, and yes I am going to breakfast.”

Dracia walked with the prince slowly a few paces before he stopped and offered her his arm. She smiled as she took it and they continued on to the dinning room.

“How old are you, your highness? If you don’t mind me asking,” said Dracia.

“Not at all,” said the prince. “I turned eighteen at the start of winter.”

“So young,” said Dracia. “And now you will be a king.”

“It seems that way,” said the prince. He was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “I never thought to be a king so young. I thought I would have many more years to learn from my father.”

“And you should have,” said Dracia as she stopped them. “I am very sorry for all that has happened to your kingdom and especially you. Not only were you thrown into this position and taken from your home, but you lost your family. I know you must be in much pain from that loss.”

“It has not been easy,” said the prince. “I have good people helping me, my uncle especially, but I have felt very lonely.”

“And being a king will not make it any better,” said Dracia. “I believe rulers are often lonely. While I cannot speak for every person in the kingdom, I can speak for myself, and a little for the king. While Lanoxan and Parvail have never been very friendly, I believe we have held respect for each other. I have read about your kingdom, and I know how proud your people are. I know how independent your kingdom has always been, and it is admirable, but I hope as king you will be open to new friendships.

“I think Lanoxan and Parvail could be powerful allies who would help one another. We have no ambition to take over your kingdom or force our ways on you. We do not want tyranny, but a true friendship between the kingdoms.”

“My uncle has talked to me of the need to make new alliances. He says we were weak against the Navalia because we had no one to call for aid.”

“You uncle sounds very wise, my prince,” said Dracia as they started walking again. “Let me say, that you are very safe here, and once Navalia is dealt with, I will make sure you get your kingdom back. I will see you rule over it as that is what your people want.”

“You can say that as the queen?” asked Prince Garreth.

“Perhaps I could. I do have much influence over my king, but I make this vow to you as the High Captain of the Sentinel. I believe we can convince Navalia to leave your kingdom with words after we win this battle, but if not, I will help you take your kingdom back by force if need be.”

“You really do fight?” asked the prince.

“I do,” said Dracia. “I have been in many battles. I am not the only woman either. There are several women who are Elites in the Sentinel. Of course, Indomia is here, and we will see many women fighters.”

“I know women can fight,” said the prince. “We have women in our armies, but you are the queen. Your king lets you fight?”

“My king doesn’t let me do anything,” said Dracia with a laugh. “I do what I believe is right, and he trust me.”

“I believe I can see why,” said the prince as they walked into the dining room.

After breakfast, Dracia walked down to the Sentinel with Roderick to check on things. As the walked through the palace grounds, Dracia spotted the group from Indomia in their encampment. Many of the Indomia warriors were walking around, or seeing to their horses. Dracia saw there were indeed many women in their numbers.

“You have always wanted to see them,’ said Roderick as he followed Dracia’s gaze.

“I know, and I am sad to say they appear quite normal this morning. I suppose it is different to see them in battle,” said Dracia with a sigh. “Which I will not be able to do.”

“You might catch a glimpse of them from a tower or window,” said Roderick with a small laugh. He dropped his smile when he caught sight of the look on Dracia’s face. “Are you terribly disappointed to not be fighting?”

“I am disappointed I cannot fight with you, Roderick as we protect, our kingdom. It will feel wrong to stay within the palace while you are out here leading the Sentinel, but if I am honest, I don’t know if disappointed is really the right word.”

Dracia and Roderick continued to walk, Roderick glancing at her.

“Perhaps disappointed is the right word, but it is not disappointment in not fighting, it is disappointment in myself,” said Dracia.

“What do you mean?” asked Roderick. “What crazy notion do you have in your head that would cause you to be disappointed in yourself?”

“I have spent many hours training to fight. I was named the High Captain of the Sentinel. I believe I am quite good at fighting,” said Dracia.

“You know you are,” said Roderick. “I have never seen one with your skills, bravery, and fierceness.”

“Then I suppose I am disappointed in myself because I am growing tired of fighting,” said Dracia. “I shall always rise to the occasion and defend my kingdom if need be, but living a life as an Elite does not have the appeal to me it once did.”

“I believe I know what you are trying to say,” said Roderick. “You are disappointed in yourself because you find yourself wanting to be a wife, queen, and mother more than an Elite of the Sentinel.”

“It is so silly and basic isn’t it? When it comes down to it, I am like almost every other woman in that I just want to be with the man I love, and raise my children,” said Dracia. “It seems all those men who thought I couldn’t be High Captain, were right.”

“No, they were not, Dracia,” said Roderick. “You cannot think you are the first High Captain to step down for love. It is not only women who want to live a life of love and companionship with a family. Also, you are not like most normal High Captains in that you have an even higher calling in the kingdom. You are the queen, a queen who is much needed by her king to help him rule. You will still fight for your kingdom, but in a different way.”

“I know you are right, Roderick, but it still feels rather wrong. I feel as though I have let someone down, but I am not sure who unless it is myself.”

“But you want to be with your king and raise your children. You are letting others and their ideas bother you. No one could ever say your time as High Captain was not successful,” said Roderick. “You have protected the kingdom, and even saved the royal family. If the world has any goodness in it, you will long be remembered for your deeds.”

“I think you might be biased,” said Dracia.

“Only because I have been fortunate enough to be by your side during it all. Once we defeat Navalia and regain the safety of our kingdom, the people will know who you truly are. They will stop with their whispers and realize who they owe their future prosperity to.”

“What of you, Roderick?” asked Dracia. “Will you feel guilty leaving the Sentinel?”

“No, I will not,” said Roderick. “I also have a few new callings in the kingdom including being a lord, and serving on the king’s council.”

“So, you will say yes to Leal?” asked Dracia.

“I will as our king as convinced me I am needed. It also means I will get to see more of you, which may have played at least a small part in my decision,” said Roderick.

“What of helping you to win over Selene’s father and mother?” asked Dracia as she smiled at Roderick.

“That might have helped as well,” said Roderick.

“I shall like to see more of you, and see you happy, so I am overjoyed you will say yes to Leal’s request,” said Dracia as she took Roderick’s arm as they walked.

“If you want to see my happy, we will need to find a way to keep you safe during this upcoming battle, and defeat Lady Belleth.”

“I am working on it, Roderick, and so is your brother and Lexine. We have found some information, but I don’t know what to make of it,” said Dracia.

“You mean the book your worked with in the library the other day?” asked Roderick. “The one that made you worried that you cannot destroy Belleth or her sister?”

“Did Galen tell you?” asked Dracia.

“No, the king did,” said Roderick.

Dracia stopped walking. “How much time are you spending with our king?”

Roderick shrugged. “A little here and there. We had a drink the other night when you went to bed early.”

Dracia smiled. “You are becoming friends,” she said happily.

“He is my king, Dracia. I serve him as a subject of Lanoxan, and the lord of Low Hill,” said Roderick.

“He can be your friend and your king, Roderick,” said Dracia as they started walking again. “Leal needs friends, real friends, not ones who serve him just because of what they can get from him. Leal needs you as do I.”

“Perhaps we are becoming friends. I’ll admit I don’t have many real friends myself besides you and a few at the Sentinel.”

“And Ethen,” said Dracia. “I don’t find it surprising, but perhaps many would to see you as Lord Roderick Ellis, a high lord of Lanoxan and a friend to royalty and nobles.”

“As surprising as Dracia Yates, the highest lord of Lanoxan’s daughter being named high captain?”

“No, perhaps not, but you are a man. People aren’t as surprised when a man rises above what people thought he would be,” said Dracia.

“True, though it is silly,” said Roderick. “The strongest people I have met have been women.”

“I won’t argue with it,” said Dracia as the walked up to the Sentinel. “Let’s go see what we can do about the safety of our village and our people. I am ready to be done with this evilness we are facing, and live my life with those I love.”

Roderick stopped her for a moment. “I hope you are not disappointed in yourself or feel anyone else is disappointed in you,” said Roderick as he held her hand. “You’re feeling a loss at the thought of leaving the Sentinel, and it is normal as it has been your life for so long, but don’t let it ruin the joy you feel of becoming who you truly are now.

“You are our queen, Dracia. You might be a wife, and soon a mother, but you are so much more as well. I know you will have many new challenges to face in your new position that will require just as much bravery and skill as you have shown as an Elite and High Captain.

“I do care for our king, and I have trust in him, but my real hope for our kingdom is in you. I know what you are capable of, and know you will do everything to help Lanoxan prosper and be peaceful. Hopefully, I will be blessed with a child someday, and I shall rest easy as a father knowing you are making our kingdom and our land a better place for him or her.”

“You will help me, Roderick. We will make this place better for our children, and you and I, Leal, Galen, Lexine, and I hope Selene will do it together with many others. Thank you for reminding me who I really am. You have always been good at doing it,” said Dracia as she leaned up and kissed him on his cheek.

“And one day you will really listen,” said Roderick as he took her hand and kissed it.

They met with the Sentinel going over the battle plan, putting the Sentinel on the front lines before the other groups. They were defending Lanoxan and Winsdell, so the Sentinel would lead the fight. Dracia was a little worried about the dwindling number of full Elites as there were barely over 400, but at least for this battle they had plenty of help. After Winsdell was safe, there would be a large task ahead of them to replenish their numbers. She knew she needed to step down eventually, but she couldn’t imagine leaving the Sentinel in such a state. She decided to tuck the problem away for another day, sometime after the battle was won.

The real problem she needed to work on was how they were actually going to win. She knew the forces they had assembled should be able to overtake whatever Navalia had put together under normal circumstances, but these were not normal circumstances. Belleth and Julian had more powers than Dracia probably even knew about. They had been practicing old magic for two thousand years. Even if they had been stripped of any supernatural powers when they were banished, they were still powerful women.

After staying at the Sentinel until past lunch, Dracia walked back to the palace with Roderick, him leaving her there to go check in with his home and lands. She thought to go check the Academy library to see if Galen and Lexine had found anything useful, but she was dreadfully tired. She had awoken before the sun, and now her eyes were heavy and tried, and her body felt as though she could barely make it up the palace stairs, let alone to the Academy doors.

She did make it to her rooms, opening the door to find it empty of both Leal and Malven. After taking off her cloak and her boots, she laid down on the bed hoping an afternoon nap might refresh her. The fire was burning high in the fireplace and the day was cloudy, making the room warm and dim. In the softness of the bed, she closed her eyes and found herself drifting off quickly.

She stood on the hills of Winsdell as the snow fell around her. She was dressed in her High Captain uniform and cloak, but she could find no warmth.

“I have found it, Dracia,” said Lady Belleth as she appeared next to her. “I know I can get you to relent and join me.”

“Dracia, do not resist her,” said Julian as she appeared on the other side of Dracia. “You must do as Belleth says. It won’t be so bad, I promise.”

“You should listen to her, Dracia. I would hate to hurt you, but I am afraid it is going to happen if you will not change your mind.”

“You will never change my mind,” said Dracia fiercely. “I know who I am, and who I want to be. Nothing you could do can make me forget it.”

“Will you really be so obstinate in the face of what could be your own demise?” asked Belleth angrily. “Think of your child, Dracia. Will you give up her life because you were too selfish to not see what has to be?”

“I will not let my child grow up in a world controlled by you, Belleth,” said Dracia. “I will see you destroyed somehow, and keep my child safe. I have faith in those I love and the gods.”

“You have become so foolish,” said Belleth with a laugh. “I am coming for you, Dracia. We will see you soon,”

“Please reconsider and just give her what she wants,” said Julian. “I don’t want you to be hurt, dear one.”

Dracia shook her head as the two women disappeared. She closed her eyes and stumbled forwards, knowing she did not have the strength to walk far. As she fell down onto the snowy ground, her eyes closed, and the world disappeared around her.

She awoke on a large soft sofa in a beautiful parlor. As she sat up slowly, she saw a large tea set in front of her, steam wafting out of the pot, giving off the most wonderful smell. Dracia’s eyes adjusted to the bright light coming through the windows of the room to see a lovely woman sitting close to her in a large chair. She had very fair skin and honey colored hair. Her eyes were a warm gold, and her smile was bright as she looked at Dracia.

“Welcome, my dear, it is good to see you,” said the woman as Dracia stared at her.

“Where am I?” asked Dracia, stretching realizing her body felt light and pain free. Not even her leg was bothering her.

“My parlor,” said the woman. “Let me fix you some tea. It will do you much good,” said the woman as she leaned forward and poured the tea, putting a little milk and sugar in it.

She handed the cup to Dracia who took it with a deep breath, inhaling the wonderful smell.

“It is very nice, isn’t it?” asked the woman with a small laugh. “It is my own blend, and I am very proud of it.”

Dracia drank deeply from the cup, the liquid filling her with warmth and a sense of peace. She automatically smiled and a small, contended noise spilled out of her. She felt all her questions and confusions about where she was and who she was speaking with disappear from her mind.

“Now, we don’t have much time, and I would like to speak with you. I know you are very worried about what is to come, my dear,” said the woman.

“I am,” said Dracia putting her cup down. “I just want to keep my kingdom and people safe as well as my child, but I don’t know what I can do. I don’t think I can be the one to kill them.”

“No, I am afraid you cannot. Mistakes were made in the past that will forbid you from performing the duty, but it can still be done. The mistakes made were not made out of bad intentions, but they were still mistakes. They were made out of a misunderstanding of mercy. Many times, mercy doesn’t look like what we think it should.”

“What do you mean?” asked Dracia.

The woman smiled and sat forward a little and took Dracia’s hand. “You can still show your sisters mercy, dear woman. That mercy will probably not look like what you imagine. I am as tied to the other gods as I can be, and there is mercy in all of them, life, healing, and death, just as there is a little of them in each other.”

Dracia looked at the woman, trying to understand what she was trying to tell her as the woman gripped her hand.

“Find a way to show mercy to your sisters, but make sure it is the right way. If you can do this, you will see what must be done.”

“What about what the book said? What about the one who needs redemption and vengeance who has to be the one to kill them?”

“Mercy is often found in redemption. It can even be found in vengeance if it is done right,” aid the woman as she let go of Dracia’s hand. “Do not worry about it. Do your part, and the rest will take care of itself. You do not have to hold every burden, my dear. That has always been a fault of yours. You are not good at showing yourself mercy.”

Dracia picked her teacup back up as the woman smiled at her.

“Finish your tea, Dracia, before you go. Rest while you can, and trust in those who love you. You do not have to do this alone, and those in your life would rather you didn’t. Sophia did not choose her path and walk it by herself. She had one very special to her that was traveled by her side. Do not push away the ones who wish to walk with you Dracia, even carry you sometimes. Weakness is not found in depending on others, it is found in not admitting when you need help.”

Dracia lifted her cup to her lips and drank every last drop of her tea. When she was done, she put her teacup down and felt her eyes grow heavy.

“Now lay down, and rest. Trust that all will be well because I believe it will,” said the woman.

Dracia stretched out on the sofa and placed her hand under her cheek. She felt herself quickly fall asleep, thinking of all those she loved. She awoke to find Leal sitting next to her on the bed. When he saw her eyes open, he took her hand and kissed it as she looked up at him.

“I did not mean to wake you, dearest,” said Leal. “I should have left you alone.”

“No,” said Dracia as she sat up. “I never want you to leave me alone. I need you, Leal. I need you by my side, always.”

She leaned forward and put her arms around him and laid her head on his chest as she felt his arms encircle her.

“I would never leave you, Dracia. You should know it by now. Nothing could keep me from you, not even your own stubbornness.”

“I am sorry for all the times I tried to push you away,” said Dracia. “I meant them as a mercy to you, but I did not understand it was only pain I caused you and myself. I have always tried to do things on my own, but it wasn’t meant to be that way.”

“You do not need to be sorry, my love,” said Leal. “All is well now, and we are together. We will get past what is coming, and then we will live the rest of our lives together.”

“I know we will,” said Dracia as she sat up and looked at Leal. “I can’t explain how we will do it, but I believe we will. I believe when the time comes, we will both know what to do. I know I can’t do it alone.”

“You won’t be alone,” said Leal as he reach out and put his hand gently on her cheek. “I will be there, and I will find a way to protect you and help you. There are so many others who will fight for us too, Dracia.”

“There are, and we will have to depend on them all to get through this,” said Dracia. “I have spent too many years thinking I had to do it all by myself, that I had to prove I was good enough for I know not what. I am tired. I don’t want to live like that anymore, thinking I have to prove my strength daily. I want to live for more than accomplishments and acts of bravery.

“What I want is a life with you and our child. A life spent with our family and friends around us. A life of supporting you as you rule our kingdom,” said Dracia.

“We will rule together, Dracia. I have always told you it. I cannot lead this kingdom without you. I will depend on many people to help me, but none so much as you,” said Leal.

“Then we shall do it together,” said Dracia. “You are all I have ever wanted. No matter what happens, I want you to know it. It doesn’t matter if I am an Elite in the Sentinel, your queen, a noble of Siccaria, or anything else, you are what I truly want and need.”

“I would give up everything for you, my crown, my kingdom, my own life,” said Leal quietly as he leaned forward.

“But you won’t have to because together we will both see that you keep them all,” said Dracia before he kissed her.

The rest of the time before the battle passed in endless meetings, worries, and a state of constant busyness. Besides seeing to making sure all was in order with the Sentinel and connecting her Upper Elites, Lord Owin and the leaders of the Indomia and Parvail forces, Dracia felt she needed to see to their guest especially the young Parvailian prince. King Lyam was a confident man who knew Winsdell well. Despite the coming danger, he seemed happy to spend time with Leal and Lexine when he could as well as her parents. Dracia enjoyed her time with the king, but she felt she needed to watch over Prince Garreth and help him feel comfortable.

One night after speaking with the young prince in the parlor for over an hour, she saw Lord Owin smiling at her after the prince had gone to bed. She walked over to the man, sitting in a chair close to him.

“I take it he is not the first young, out of place person you have taken under your wing,” said Lord Owin.

“No, there a few I have made it my mission to bring out of their shell in the past, including Roderick. He is a confident man now, but when I fist met him during the Disciplines he rarely spoke or even smiled. He has been well worth my effort, and I feel the young prince will be as well,” said Dracia.

“Lady Ava was much the same,” said Lord Owin. “She was always the most commanding presence in the room, much like you, but she seemed to find the ones in the shadows and work to bring them forward. She seem to emit her own light, and she used it to illuminate others. I am happy to see you possess the same ability and desire.”

“You flatter me, Lord Owin,” said Dracia. “While Lady Ava may have been all that you said, I am sure it does not apply to me. I merely enjoy meeting others, and I found those who hide away, many times provide the deepest and most meaningful conversations.”

“You are kind to everyone but yourself, your majesty,” said Lord Owin. “You shine bright no matter where you are or in what position. If you will recognize it and own it, I think you will find it will help you in all your endeavors. Your king recognizes it, and I have no doubt he will use it to advantage to rule his kingdom. He would be a fool not to.”

“I will only say that I appreciate your kind words, Lord Owin,” said Dracia with a smile that quickly turned into a yawn.

“You should go up to bed, your majesty,” said Lord Owin. “You have long days ahead of you and more than your own health to think of. I will let your king know where you have gone.”

“I will go up to my room,” said Dracia as she stood, causing Lord Owin to stand with her. “I thank you for your assistance and your conversation. When this is over, I hope one day to speak to you of Lady Ava if it is not too painful for you. I would like to hear about my true mother and what she was like.”

“I would be happy to speak of her with you. You will find you know her quite well as much of her lives in you,” said Lord Owin. “Not that you don’t have your own personality and spirit, but I believe you will see you inherited more form your mother than your beauty.”

“Good evening, Lord Owin,” said Dracia as she held her hand out to him.

“Rest well, your majesty,” said Lord Owin as he kissed Dracia’s hand.

She looked over at Leal who was speaking with King Lyam, Lexine, and Galen. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves with their laughter and smiles. She did not wish to disturb him knowing Lord Owin would let Leal know of her absence, so she quietly walked out of the parlor.

“Are you going to bed, Dracia?” asked Ethen as he followed her out of the room.

“I am. I am quite exhausted, and there is much to do the next few days, and too much to think on,” said Dracia.

“Might I see you up to your room? I am heading to bed as well. I would like to write Maia before I sleep,” said Ethen holding out his arm.

Dracia nodded and took it, and they walked towards the entry hall.

“You must miss Maia terribly, Ethen,” said Dracia. “I am glad you are here, but I do wish you could be with her during this time.”

“The battle will be soon. After we are victorious, I can plan to leave for Radarial. I will not miss the birth of my child, so you need not worry,” said Ethen.

“I know you will not. I will make sure of it, but Maia must want you with her now, and you must want to be with her. I want you to know how much I appreciate the sacrifice of both of you.”

“We are family, Dracia. I would go anywhere to see you safe, and I believe you would do the same for me. It is true we have not known each other very long, but I do feel a strong connection with you,” said Lord Ethen. He pulled her over to a side hallway, and they stood close to the wall.

“You know I am an only child. My mother died very soon after I was born, and my father never married again. He could not make himself do it after losing my mother. I was brought up believing I would be the last of our family line, ruling with only my future wife to comfort me.

“Meeting you and discovering that you are my family has given me one of the most surprising joys of my life, Dracia. I know you have to be here for your kingdom and your king, but I hope you will find ways to visit me in Siccaria. I will come here as well. I and Maia will depend on your wisdom and love in the years to come as we lead our kingdom.”

“I will always do all I can to help you, Ethen. From the moment we met, I liked you, and felt connected to you in some way. I have come to love you and depend on you as well. I cannot think of living this life without you or Maia. I believe my husband has come to cherish you and depend on you as well,” said Dracia. “You know I already have two older brothers, and I do love them, but I have also started to think of you as a brother. Perhaps if things had been different, we would have been raised as almost a brother and sister.”

“I should have liked it very much. I can imagine the trouble the two of us would have gotten into,” said Ethen with a smile. “But we cannot change the past, and we have each other now. You must do all you can to keep yourself safe in this battle, Dracia. Now that I know what it is to live with you in my life, I cannot lose you. You also might be carrying the future of Siccaria. We will make sure our children do know each other as they grow. They will need each other.”

“You will have to be safe as well. I promised Maia you would, and I cannot do without you now. We have a bright future ahead of us, Ethen. We can unite the land and the people as never before. We can make both of our kingdoms stronger by depending on each other.”

“You are right. and I look forward to accomplishing it with you,” said Ethen. “Now, you need to sleep, and I need to write Maia.”

They walked to the entry hall and up the stairs together, Ethen keeping Dracia close to his side, and Dracia enjoying his calming presence. When they go to her door, Ethen turned to her and held on to her hand.

“I do love you, Dracia,” he said as he kissed her hand.

“And I love you as well, Ethen. There are few in this kingdom I adore as much as you,” said Dracia.

“Goodnight, Captain,” said Ethen as he stepped back with a smile. “I have no doubt in your Sentinel to lead us through this battle.”

“And I have no doubt in you and your Siccarian forces to cause all sorts of troubles for the Navalians, my lord,” said Dracia returning his smile before she stepped into her room.