~Prologue~
Drip... Drip... Drip... Madalyn flinched as liquid collided with the floor. Drip... The sound echoed throughout the tiny black chamber. Madalyn curled up into a ball, as if trying to shrink out of the prison. Her delicate hand touched a slimy substance. With a yelp, she leaped to her feet, desperately searching her torn yellow dress for more of the slime. Her waist-long hair fell about her thin frame like a straw curtain. A shaft of light illuminated a small, square point on the furthest wall. Madalyn squinted her eyes and saw the rest of her prison. It was a blank cell, no door, no bedroll... Just a window, a pewter plate with a little hunk of bread laying on top, and a tiny pitcher of water. Madalyn spotted a small wooden stool in the corner and dragged it over, below the window. She stood upon it and looked out the window.
Outside the window was not much to look at. Yet it invoked sweet dreams of freedom in Madalyn's teenage head. She spent hours staring out into the lane of emerald green grass, past the guardhouse, beyond the portcullis and the vigilant guards. As evening approached, she blinked her tired, cobalt eyes and stepped down from the stool to stretch and nibble on the old bread and water that probably had been there since dawn. As her hand advanced on her open mouth with the food, she hesitated, pulled the stool back to the window and jumped back onto its rickety frame to watch as booted feet marched by. Another hunk of bread landed squarely on Madalyn's nose and she let out a small squeak as she strived to catch the bread before it joined the slime on the floor. Successful in her attempt, she smiled grimly, stuffing the extra bread in her pocket for later.
She crunched on the hard bread and watched as the shadows grew long on the other side of the bars. Another pair of booted feet marched by, but the noise stopped abruptly. They returned and Madalyn shrank back a little.
“Wat yew doin', Soldier?!" A husky voice barked. The booted feet shuffled a little as the armored soldier saluted the person beyond, blocking Madalyn's view of whoever was shouting.
“Dropped my extra blade, sir. I don't want some thief to steal it and murder the king." This man's speech was clipped and sharp, more of a gentleman's voice than one of a soldier. At the mention of the theif, Madalyn's nose crinkled up in disgust. The other guard snorted.
“Very well then. Git back to yer duties later." Madalyn heard him mutter 'scum' under his breath as he walked away. The soldier dropped to his knees and a helmeted head was lowered to the bars of the window. Frightened, Madalyn's eyes widened. The soldier took a quick glance around and pulled the helmet off his head. A head dropped to the window again, this one young, cheerful, and full of fiery red hair. The soldier lifted his index finger to his lips in the signal for silence. Madalyn nodded.
“You're the king's daughter, aren't you?"
Madalyn nodded.
"Everyone thought you had been murdered." Madalyn shook her head, her messy blonde hair swinging from side to side. The twenty-year-old soldier nodded grimly.
“Thought so." He reached into a secret pocket sewn into the royal guardsman's cape he was wearing and squeezed something in between the bars. Something sharp, cool, and metallic fell into Madalyn's hands.
The man put his helmet back on with the visor up. "Don't worry; your father is searching for you now. He didn't believe the lies either. We'll get you out of here." With that, he got to his feet and straightened himself. Madalyn pressed her face to the bars as she watched the young adult go on with his watch.
Who's we?
Chapter One
Escape
Deep within the forests of a kingdom near the center of the continent, a palace sat, its sparkling marble walls towering above the canopy of emerald leaves swaying with the gentle breeze. The highest towers' windows were lit, the flames of thousands of candles danced beyond the stained glass. Although, one little window, the topmost window of the highest tower, remained unlit. The joyful semblance of the king's palace was marred by a doleful moan emitting from that window. The queen was mourning her loss.
Within that very chamber, not one light flickered across the sky blue tapestries that hung from ceiling to white marble floor. A bed, elegant in design and cobalt by color, was positioned against the farthest wall from the oak doorway. A fine mesh hung from a hook in the ceiling and enclosed the silken pillow and the headboard. A small desk sat in the farthest reaches of the massive chamber. A stool was placed beside it. A pale blue loveseat sat in front of a windowsill, the one that looked over the courtyards, walls, and forests beyond. A figure was draped across the loveseat's silken cushions. The queen's whole body shook with grief, her black velvet overgown shifting with every movement. The thirty-year-old woman's chocolate brown hair fell about the pillow she buried her face in. Her crown lay discarded on the floor.
As the dawn's first light illuminated the chamber, a soft knock split the relative silence. A voice called from behind the door.
"Maraline?" A regal head peered into the room. The king shut the door gently behind him as he entered. The day's first golden rays bounced off the man's straw colored hair as he pulled off his navy cloak and placed it on the woman's shoulders. His ice blue tunic and leggings rustled as he sat down by the queen's feet. The woman raised her head. Her thin lips were drawn tight in a mournful frown and her deep azure eyes held the slightest glint of life.
"We'll find her. Maraline, I promise." The middle aged man placed a comforting hand on Maraline's shoulder.
"Oh, Richard, how could she just disappear?" the queen sobbed. "Oh, Rich, she's too young!" The king shushed her.
"I know. She is too young to be captured by any stranger; she had guards by her side." This statement brought another wail from Maraline.
"Thirteen! Thirteen years of age, Richard!" she sobbed. She clutched something to her breast. Something that shone in the rising sun. Richard put his weathered hand over hers.
"I know," he whispered as he brought the lady's hand gently to her lap. Her fingers uncurled and there laid a necklace of ice blue ribbon and a small locket. It popped open and the painting of a thirteen year old girl appeared, her cobalt eyes smiling at the couple, and her blonde hair falling about her shoulders. A name was inscribed on the gold surface of the heart shaped locket. Madalyn.
The king placed a consoling hand on the woman's shoulder as she heaved a sob, his face distorted with concern. Maraline finally looked up at him, her eyes tearful.
"I miss her music."
That statement rattled Richard. A voice sweet as honey seemed to fill his ears, but as it faded, he knew she was gone. He drew his wife close and hugged her compassionately.
"I do too, sweetie." Tears welled up in his eyes. "I do too..."
***
Silence. The silence tormented Richard. It had been a few weeks since his daughter had suddenly vanished and the once joyful kingdom fell silent. It seemed that even the birds ceased singing. The castle, once cheery and bright with that young, innocent face lost its vigor. The courtiers no longer laughed. The entertainer half heartedly juggled colored balls. The king was sorrowful for the first time in thirteen years.
Nothing was the same without her.
The queen soon locked herself in Madalyn's room, neither opening the door for her guards or the royal physician, and rarely for the king himself. Her ladies-in-waiting told the others that she was ill. Richard knew why. They all knew what was happening. They all shared the queen's grief in lesser extents. They all missed Madalyn. Night had fallen onto the sunny forests of the kingdom, Erelon. Forever twilight in the eyes of the people. Forever dusk.
Richard leaned against the balcony, watching as the moon rose in the sky, illuminating the canopy of treetops with a sad, pale glow. The stars peered out from the midnight skies. Barely a cloud passed in front of the feathery moonlight. Richard heaved a sigh, longing for the nights spent out on that very balcony, with his daughter leaning out into the soft breeze, the wind catching her honey colored hair and making it dance with the wind, her voice clear and sweet as the birdsongs of the little golden birds that tended to flutter around, even in the dead of night to hear the girl sing. The middle aged man briskly wiped a tear that had squeezed out of his green-gray eyes. He could hear the girl's voice on the wind, almost like she was dancing on the wind above him, laughing and singing...
Whispering lovely lilies' songs,
As Lady Love appears.
Two lovers, for the other each longs,
As the elf would love the deer.
Singing, singing, always singing,
Did Lady Love come through,
Laughing, laughing, always laughing,
Did true love become true.
Shining, shining, marvelously bright,
Lady Love did solve their plight!
Lucky me, Lady Love did see
That I have a lover waiting for me.
My wedding bells ring
A-ring-a-ding-ding
When my love does first appear!
When the voice faded, the regal king found that he had let the tears fall from his eyes. He looked up to the moon and whispered a prayer, sobs erupting from his throat. Where could she be? His mind screamed. He slammed his fist down onto the marble railing, his voice thundering with rage.
"I will find you, Madalyn!"
***
Down in the dark cell, the girl crawled into the corner. It had been a while since she had found herself in this strange predicament. Only a few days, counting by how many times she had found herself at the bars of her prison cell window, staring through the portcullis. There weren't any trees beyond that shining iron gate. Madelyn was sure she couldn't be in Erelon’s main castle. She had scoured that building from cellars to the very peaks of the tall towers. There had been no dungeon with no door to speak of, which posed the question, how did she get in there?
Madalyn had no clue, but she was positive that she could escape someday. She was getting tired of living on stale, crunchy bread and dirty water. Every once in a while, the redhead would appear with news about his escape plan. Yet, every time, Maddy would point out a flaw. This redheaded guard was certainly a spy from Erelon, by his manner of speech and such. She soon learned that she was now her uncle's prisoner in his kingdom across the river that marked the edge of Erelon's borders. Her father's residence was at least three hundred, maybe even six hundred miles into the country. The redhead proclaimed himself to be Karth Vandenlair, Madalyn's father's top spy to his dastardly brother's kingdom, Sommerskilth.
The girl rested her head in her arms and felt tears rush down her filthy face that was once the living joy in Erelon. An idea ran through her head. I must sing, she thought, to awaken the birds that have been dreadfully silent throughout my stay. At first, her unused voice quivered, but built up in strength.
"Listen, birds of one so vile,
Listen to my heart's own beat.
Sing to your little hearts' content,
Even in this dreadful heat.
Sing, sing, keep the spirits up!
Sing, sing, keep the livelihood going!
Sing, sing, little ones, sing
And awaken from your slumber!"
Surprisingly, a little bird fluttered down the bars of the cage and squeezed through. It was golden in color with black stripes. She recognized the little bird's species as one that would sing along to her music early in the morning. Maddy smiled and held out a grimy finger. The beautiful bird lighted, chattering ceaselessly.
"I dub you, Gistrona, elven for Song, for you sang with me." Gistrona shifted from foot to foot and clicked her beak. Maddy placed the bird on the hard stone floor and watched her as she hopped around, flapping her wings a few times. The little gold bird pecked at the remnants of Maddy's breakfast, a few hard crumbs of bread.
"You want to know how I know elven?" the girl spoke easily, longing for someone, even the bird, to listen to her.
"Well, my father wanted me to learn it so we could communicate with their kings and queens and whatnot. I met an elven princess once. She was a very honest girl. She was also the one who taught me to sing!" The girl chattered on.
"She said my singing rivaled hers! I told her that she had a lovelier voice than mine, and we got into an argument! Oh, how funny it was when we began a singing contest to see whose voice was the worst! Our fathers came in as we began a duet! Oh, how did it go...?" She broke into another song.
"Kitritha lae manai gistrona,
Listen to my song,
Ei elta manya lae manai lohstrea,
And hold me to my heart,
Manai lohstrea eltae manya toscki,
My heart holds me close,
Kitritha lae manai gistrona,
Listen to my song..."
Gistrona twittered along to the simple elven tune. Madalyn laughed.
"It just repeats from there... Our fathers said we were matched equally. I wonder if Laranathysla knows about the kidnap. Laranathysla means Beautiful One in elven, you know. I call her Lara. Larana means beautiful and thysla means one." Maddy finally fell silent, lost in memories of Lara playing with her father's old instruments sitting in the minstrel’s dusty closet.
"I wonder if they’re still there..."
A crash jerked Madalyn back to reality. Glancing up, she saw Karth through the iron bars of the window, laying face first in the grass. She scrambled to get up, startling the bird into skittering about in a flurry of golden feathers. Gistrona seemed to puff up her chest indignantly and gave a chirrup. Maddy wasn’t paying attention. She was once again at the bars of her prison, calling to the redhead in a horse whisper.
“Karth!” Maddy stuck a finger in between the bars and poked the shining metal of his armor. “Karth!” The guard turned his head slightly, a grin etched in his features. He beckoned for her to listen.
“I figured out how to get you- er, us out of here, Miz Maddy! Just let me do all the talking.” He scrambled to his feet and dusted himself off. He kicked at the bars. Maddy flinched as the rust fell from the metal, coating her pale skin in a ruddy color. A grimace flashed across her face, but soon disappeared. She’d come in contact with substances much more appalling.
Karth gave the bars a quick tug. Surprisingly, they swung out with a screech like one of an eagle’s. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her out. His smile vanished instantly and he leaned close to her ear.
“Sorry, milady, but you look like a sunburned woman just out of slavery. Ah well, it’ll work.” He kept his fingers locked around her forearm. “Don’t worry. Just act if you have no idea what I’m saying-“ he broke off as the sound of clanking armor came from around the corner of the stone wall. He kicked the bars and let loose a shout as the rusty hinges screeched once again.
“How dare ye!” Karth shoved her roughly into the wall. Maddy cringed as he got up close. Karth winked at her slyly. He mouthed the words “trust me” and feigned a slap. Just as Karth’s hand approached Madalyn’s cheek, a soldier rounded the corner.
The young recruit stumbled at the sight of the redhead harassing a beautiful young girl with a tattered yellow dress. He approached carefully, unsure of what to do.
“Steal my knife, will ye?” Karth’s accent was passable for a southern Sommerskilthian. Karth raised his arm as if to hit Maddy again. Maddy cried out in a brilliant elven tongue.
“Kalre! Kalre!” Karth looked confused for a second before he caught on. He grabbed the girl’s neck, gently curling his fingers so he wouldn’t really bruise her.
“Callin’ out fer mercy, eh, elf?”
By this time, the young new recruit was thoroughly outraged at the redhead who was seemingly choking the beautiful girl. He drew up his head and marched forward. He gripped the redhead’s wrist like a clamp. He gave the soldier a glare.
“Let go.”
Karth released Maddy and turned on the recruit. Maddy slipped to the ground like a broken doll, shaking. The recruit mistook her quaking for fear when Maddy was struggling to withhold the mirth. The recruit’s attention was diverted by Karth, the redhead, who had taken a bold step forward, a murderous glare fixed on him. The young soldier gulped as his hold on Karth was reversed on him. Karth twisted the other’s wrist as he hissed.
“Stay outta this, kid.” Karth released the young soldier and watched as he fled the scene. Karth turned back to Maddy with a grin on his face.
“Nice elven! Do you still have the dirk I gave you?”
Madalyn grinned and pulled the steel blade from the folds of her golden dress.
“Good. Now follow my lead. We may have to put on another show like that one for more guards. Beware, miz. There are some who won’t buy it as easily. We have to escape as soon as possible.” Karth gripped her forearm again and proceeded to “drag” her along. They met no other soldiers.
Karth pointed ahead. Maddy noted the side gate as well as two guards. She nudged Karth and tipped her head towards the two. Karth nodded. He winked as he whispered in her ear.
“I got this covered. Follow my lead.” He yanked her along and let her escape for a few seconds before catching her wrist again and twisting it behind her back. He gritted an apology as Maddy let out a squeak of pain.
“Ye little-“ Maddy kicked him in the stomach, knocking the air out of Karth’s lungs. He grunted and shoved her towards the gate. By then, the guards had taken notice of the struggling soldier and girl. One leaned on his spear as he called out in a strange drawl.
“Need halp, young ‘un?” he called, a crooked grin on his face. The other guard snickered as Karth yowled in pain as the girl bit him.
“Naw, got this ‘un for the choppin’ block.” Karth shoved a piece of cloth in Maddy’s mouth. “But ‘Is Majesty don’ want ‘er blud in the big ‘ouse.” The one with the accent shrugged and opened the gate for them.
“Don’ ye be callin’ for halp, mizzer. We’s gonna go inside affer a few minutes.” This brought another snicker from the other guard. Karth pulled something from his belt and prodded Maddy’s backside. She let out a muffled moan as he shoved her through the gate. She heard the guards as they burst out into laughter at some witty remark. After the pair had descended further into the woodlands surrounding the castle’s outer walls, Karth released his grip.
“Sorry, miz. Didn’t mean to hurt you so.” Karth showed her the object he’d been using to prod her backside. “Here, you’ll need as much nourishment as you can get.” He handed Maddy a big hunk of bread and gestured that she should eat as they walked. Karth began to fill her in on the information of the latest events.
“Your dastardly uncle has finally declared war on your father. Don’t be surprised if we run into an enemy camp. I’ve been able to retrieve a map from one of my stations. We will need to travel fast and light, with very little stopping points until we’ve reached the rebel counties. I know a noble landlord who’ll help. However, we’re a few days’ worth of quick travel from his place. I do know some little villages who’ll accept one dressed like me. They’re along the way.” He passed a canteen of water over to the girl.
“Now don’t go and guzzle all of it away, you’ll make yourself sick. We need to leave the premises of this castle. Fast, before they discover you and I are gone.” Karth patted Madalyn’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Karth.” Maddy returned his smile. “When can I start singing?”
Karth shook his head gravely.
“Not yet, I’m afraid. Although I cannot wait to hear the voice that has sung the birds out of the trees of Erelon for the last thirteen years,” he said with a grin. Madalyn frowned momentarily. Karth patted her shoulder with a sad smile.
“Cheer up, princess. You only have to keep quiet for a few more hours of traveling. Heck! We might be able to find a horse to rest your feet a little.” Karth winked at her. The two continued on in silence.
An hour rolled by uneventfully, placing Madalyn’s thoughts beyond reality. She daydreamed of returning home, a broad smile on her face and her voice calling out to her father and mother. She smiled to herself as she saw in her mind’s eye the looks on their faces as they ran towards her.
“Get down!” She heard Karth’s voice faintly from behind her. A weight crashed into her side, forcing her down into the undergrowth. Maddy shook her head to clear the fuzziness that had invaded her vision.
“What the-“
“Shush! Be quiet!” Karth snapped, placing his hand over the protesting girl’s mouth. Madalyn peered from underneath a giant fern, catching sight of a horse, its rider gripping the reins with an iron fist. The rider’s chainmail clinked as he turned his head, and for a terrifying second, Madalyn’s big cobalt eyes locked with his cold, hard black ones.
Chapter Two
Fugitives
Fugitives
A wide grin suddenly softened the muscular man’s rather rough features. He swung his leg over the speckled gray horse’s back and slid off, still holding the horse’s reins. He squatted down until he was eye level with Maddy and Karth, who heaved a relieved sigh.
“Jareth. Thank God you’re here!” Karth struggled up and pulled Maddy along after him. The two men warmly shook hands and patted each other on the back in a friendly manner. Madalyn blinked in confusion as they chatted. She coughed politely and caught their attention.
“Ah, sorry Milady, this is Jareth Gurad, a friend of mine.” Karth nodded towards the tall, black haired man beside him.
“You must be the lovely princess,” Jareth bowed stiffly and politely kissed the back of her hand. Madalyn smiled back.
“Yes, I am,” Maddy returned. Maybe this is the “we” Karth was talking about the first time we met…? She paused as she turned to the gray horse. She placed a hand on its flank, feeling the rise and fall of the majestic creature’s breathing. The horse’s chocolate brown eyes were locked on her blue ones.
“Such a beautiful horse,” she patted its sleek neck, “and so muscular. You must raise it well.” Jareth seemed slightly surprised at her comment, but he recovered quickly.
“Her name it Elanrae. After my only daughter,” he confessed, running his hand across the soft hide of the animal. Maddy nodded absent mindedly as she fed a long piece of grass that she had found to her. Elanrae whinnied and stomped her hooves on the ground, raising dust. What a beautiful creature… Madalyn thought to herself.
“How fast can she go?” Madalyn inquired, her eyes still locked with the horse’s big brown eyes. Jereth smiled and patted Elanrae.
“Pretty fast. I rescued her from Lord Darrun’s stable.” He frowned when he said the name. Madalyn nodded.
“And how far could she travel?” She picked a piece of grass for the horse to nibble on, but Karth put his hand over hers and pointed to one of the pouches hanging off the horse’s saddle. Maddy glimpsed a carrot and smiled. She reached into the pouch and showed Jareth.
“Sure, Princess. Elanrae here can travel quite a distance without few breaks.” He paused with the corners of his mouth
slowly rising. “You want her, don’t you, Princess?”
Maddy smiled and fed the carrot to the horse.
“I’m sure you don’t mind? We’re on a tight schedule, Master Gurad-“
“Please, call me Jereth. We’re friends now, Miss Madalyn. Take her. But not without stopping at my own little cottage.” Jereth cupped his hands for Maddy to step up to get onto the horse.
Oh dear, I haven’t ridden a horse in so long… Maddy gripped the reins with an iron grip, feeling her feet slide into the stirrups. She settled into the saddle without any mishaps and she felt the hot rush of a blush as she fumbled with the reins once again. Karth smiled knowingly and took the reins for the girl, gently leading the horse, weaving among the trees, avoiding the protruding rocks and roots littering the forest floor.
Another hour passed, they traveled in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Madalyn was once again lost in the fantasy of returning home, letting the bumps and snorts of the horse underneath her saddle fade away, blurring together in her mind. She sighed as she patted Elanrae’s silver mane. A frown enveloped Maddy’s smile, her eyebrows furrowing together as sadness overtook the girl.
Karth took the liberty to glance up at his princess, catching sight of the sorrowful glimmer in her big cobalt eyes. He himself frowned, thoughtfully stepping over a root that might have tripped him if he weren’t paying attention.
“Miz Maddy?” He ventured, “Would you like to sing us a song to keep our spirits up?” At that, Madalyn grinned joyfully.
“Why of course!” She clapped her hands together, ecstatic that she could finally do the one thing she loved the most, sing. Her voice carried well on the crisp morning air, causing some nesting birds to peak out of their trees.
“Dearest one, please come home.
I await thee in the morning.
I’ve tidied this, my house, your home.
The birds are flying, soaring!
Hope is light in the air tonight,
As I sing this very tune.
Oh, please dear, come home alright,
Come home very soon!
The fire’s alive, oh will it thrive
Until you arrive safe, trumpets sounded.
I dusted your chair in this lair,
You can see, it’s dust free, even if you pound it!
I can’t wait to bake a cake,
For your homecoming!
Oh dearest, you don’t take too long!
Dearest, please come home tonight,
I’ve been waiting all night!”
Jereth had found himself tapping his armor to the upbeat tune, smiling. Madalyn laughed as the birds flew up high, twittering to the tune. Suddenly, another voice penetrated the air with a more mature accent. Young laughter echoed as the trees began to dissipate. A clearing was ahead, and a path began to appear under the travelers’ feet.
“Oh, dearie me!
Who’s that I see?
My husband has returned.
Oh, lock the doors!
Hide on top floors!
Oh dear what shall we do?
Run away?
Or will we stay?
He’s brought company!”
Jareth chuckled, his voice deep, and rushed forward to scoop up a small child dressed in a pale lavender smock. She had a head full of dark brown hair and emerald eyes filled with laughter. Maddy could finally see the ranch ahead. Several horses grazed within a picket fenced area along with three cows. A woman wearing a simple dress was tending a small calf. She stood, smiling. She walked over to Jereth with her hand on her hip, mockingly waggling her finger.
“Jereth Gurad! You little sneak! You bring company without notifying me? And Karth of all people?!” Suddenly she stopped, turning to Madalyn, who was smiling. “I’m so sorry; I am Patriciah Gurad, Jereth’s wife. And who might you be?” Jereth leaned over and whispered in her ear. Her green eyes widened and she clasped Maddy’s hand.
“I’m so sorry, Milady! I had no idea-“
“Please, call me Maddy or Madalyn…” Maddy held up a hand gesturing for the farmwife to stop, but Patriciah continued on.
“Goodness! How thin you look! Oh, and how filthy? Come, come, and we’re going to need to change that awful dress of yours! Something more practical… Yes… I think…” The woman began muttering to herself before scolding Jereth and Karth into helping the princess off Elanrae. She assessed the girl more closely. “And that hair! Matted and dirty! You wouldn’t think she was the heir to Erelon’s throne!”
As the farmwife fussed over Maddy, the two men proceeded to assess the ranch, making sure that none of the horses were injured, just in case one of them were and they needed to leave in a hurry. Patriciah and Elanrae, the five year old girl, ushered Madalyn into the two story farmhouse.
The inside was homely, with a small kitchen and a dining table on the first floor that proclaimed that the Gurads were rich, at one point or still were. Patriciah explained that one year, they had so much livestock that they sold a lot and had enough money to upgrade their shabby house. Jereth was appearantly working a triple life. The Gurads were a rebel family. Jereth worked partly as an undercover soldier for the rebels, partly as a farmer, and sometimes as an escort for escaping families.
“We hope to be leaving Sommerskilth soon as well.” Patriciah said as she finished combing, cleaning, and outfitting Maddy. “We hope to find a ranch in Erelon just as nice as here, but nicer. Lower taxes and no need for ferrying families to someone who could find them a way to cross the border.” She sighed.
