The Queen of Rosefield

Chapter 6

    The horses were snorting and bits were jingling as the knights were preparing for the journey ahead of them.  Malana still wore the armor and now her own sword hung from her side.  She headed for the stable where her horse was being saddled by one of the groomsmen who had came with the carriage from Rosewood.

    "Princess Malana, what of the red mare?"  He asked her.

    "She is the kings gift from me so she must be led."  She said and led the black stallion from the stable herself.

    "Malana, why don't you ride in the carriage?"  The Master Swordsman asked as he held his own mounts reins.

    "I would rather ride than sit in a closed box on wheels with two women that I don't know."  She said and pulled on her mounts bridle.  She led her stallion around the village until she reached the cemetary where she knelt beside the grave of her mother.  She placed her hand upon the wooden cross and bowed her head.  "Goodby Mother.  I'll miss you always."  She said and stood.

    "We must hurry Princess."  Sir Darren said as he sat his mount.  "Help Princess Malana to mount her horse."  He said to the man standing near him.

    "Black."  She said and the stallion went to his knees.  "There's no need for anyone to help me on a horse.  I may be small, but I'm not helpless."  She said as she straddled the stallion.  "Up."  She said and the stallion obeyed.  She rode toward Sir Darren and c****d her head to the side.  "Lead on First Knight."  She said and turned the black after him.

    "We must travel as swiftly as we can."  He said and put his mount into a lope.

    Malana rode her black at his side and was forced to hold him back.  They traveled down a road She hadn't been on in sixteen years and the knights rode close around her.  The Master Swordsman followed the knights and rode in front of the carriage with the two women sent to ride with her.  He knew where the road would lead as he settled into his saddle for the long ride.

    "Sir Darren, could we not slow down for a time.  Surely the horses need a breather."  Malana finally asked after they had ridden half the day at a gallop.  The First Knight slowed down to a walk and the horses began to blow and shake their heads.  "Must you gather around me so close.  You make me feel as if I'm going to the market."  She said to the knights riding around her.

    "We only seek to protect you Princess."  Sir Darrel said from behind her.

    "You can still protect me as you say, even if you give me a little room.  All you have to do is keep your eyes open for trouble."

    "Yes Princess."

    Several minutes went by in quiet before Malana turned in her saddle.  She looked at the sad face of Sir Darrel before she turned to look at Sir Darren.  "Sir Darren, Sir Darrel is your brother right?"

    "Yes, he's the middle son."

    "And you?  Which son are you?"

    "The youngest."

    "Well then, tell me of your family."  She said and Sir Darren looked at her.  "Well, are you going to tell me anything?"

    "No."  Sir Darren said and put his mount into a run away from the others.

    The other knights were riding close on her heels as she followed the First Knights running mount around a curve.  There ahead was Sir Darren, and he was fighting a loosing battle with several knights from another land.

    "To arms!"  Sir Darrel yelled and the knights drew their swords as their mounts surged forward in a charge.

    Malana couldn't fight on horseback so she made a move that sent her under a sword and off the back of the black.  She drew her own sword and joined the fight on foot.  The Master Swordsman was at her side as they battled the strangers who were also on foot.

    "Take them down!"  Sir Darren yelled as the remaining horsemen rode off into the woods.  "Don't let them escape!"  He rode in a circle and saw the men that lay dead in the road near the feet of the princess.  Several wounded men were rounded up and they were gathered together to be questioned by the Master Swordsman.

    Malana looked at Sir Darren and took a step toward him.  "Sir Darren, you're wounded."  She said and reached for the bridle of his horse.  "Come down from there so I can bind that wound and stop the bleeding."

    "I'll be alright."  He said and fell forward on his horses neck.  "I only need a moment to rest."

    "No, you'll not be alright until your wound is bound and the bleeding has stopped."  She said and looked around.  "You, Knight, come help me with Sir Darren.  He's wounded."

    "Yes Princess."  The knight said and hurried to help Sir Darren from his mount.  "Roland, help me."  He said to another knight that was nearby.

    "Of all of us, why did Darren have to get hurt."  Roland said as the two knights helped Sir Darren from his saddle.

    "Father, we must make camp."  Malana said and looked at the Master Swordsman.

    "Go into the woods about a hundred yards.  there is a small clearing near a stream there.  We'll camp there."

    "Yes Father."  She said and quickly led the way.

    "Princess you need to slow down."  Roland said as he stumbled under the weight of Darren.

    "Follow me at a slower pace.  I'll go ahead and build a fire." She said and hurried on.  When they reached the small clearing, a fire was going and the two knights sat Sir Darren down close to it.  "Sir Roland, fetch me some water.  You Sir, help me with this armor.  We must remove it."  She said and began to unstrap the helmet on his head.  "Come now, help me with Darren before he bleeds to death."  She said and looked at the knight just as horses entered the clearing.

    "Move out of the way Sir Homer."  Sir Darrel said and began helping Malana pull the armor from his brother.  "Darren of all the times you have to get hurt."  Sir Darrel said and looked at the pale face of his youngest brother.

    "Is she not a beauty?"  Sir Darren asked and looked at his brother

    "Who?"  Sir Darrel asked and looked into his brothers eyes.

    "Who?  Why the girl in the swords shop."  Sir Darren said.

    "Don't talk now Brother."

    "I know how you feel about Anna.  I could never bare the thought of loving one woman and having to marry another just to please our father."

    "Darren you're talking to much."  Malana said as she pulled the helmet from his head.  Her eyes locked with his and she couldn't move.  All she could see was his light brown eyes and his short cropped hair was brown in color.

    "I never knew what being in love with a woman could do to a man."  He said.

    "Brother be quiet.  You know we have to do as the king wishes."  Sir Darrel said as he pulled more of Darren's armor off.

    "Why?  You love the kings other daughter Anna."  He said.

    Malana turned to the older brother with wide eyes.  "I have an older sister that you're in love with?"

    "Yes my princess."  He said with a sad voice.  "You have an older half sister named Anna, and it is she whom I am in love with."

    "Then there must be a way for you to be with the one you're in love with and not me."

    "How?"  He asked.

    "Tend to Sir Darren and I shall tell you."  The Master Swordsman said as he walked up behind them.

    Malana jumped at the voice.  "Father!  you heard us?"

    "Yes, and I have eyes that see that you may like Sir Darrel in a way, but your heart belongs to the younger brother."  He said and stirred up the fire with a stick.

    Malana lowered her head and clutched Sir Darren's helmet tighter.  "What are we to do Father?"  She asked and looked at each of the three men.

    "First bind the wounds to stop the bleeding, then we'll talk."  He said and moved off.

    "Yes Father."  She whispered.

    Sir Darren's wounds were bound quickly and Malana sat between the brothers as she faced the Master Swordsman.  the other knights were gathered around and facing the three people sitting together as if they were being tried.

    "I'm Jonathon, Master Swordsman to our king.  Sixteen years ago he gave into my charge his newborn daughter Malana to raise as my own child with my now late wife Gwen.  She sits before you now, the younger of two sisters by two different mothers.  You Malana are the princess and future queen by blood as your mother was married to the king.  Your sister's mother is a servant in the castle and wasn't married to the the king.  You Malana are betrothed to Sir Darrel, and in love with Sir Darren.  Not here at present is Lady Anna, betrothed to Sir Darren, in love with Sir Darrel."  The words were spoken loudly as the Master Swordsman walked back and forth in front of them.

    "Why do you tell us this?"  Sir Homer asked.  "We all know how they feel about each other, and we also know of Sir Darrel's vow."

    "Yes I know, now let me tell you the rest."  The Master Swordsman said and looked at everyone.  "Around nineteen years ago Princess Sarah of Lockshire was betrothed to a man of another country.  A king to be exact.  She didn't love this king, but another king that rode up one day seeking to ally his lands with Lockshire.  Princess Sarah was an exceptional woman.  She could use a sword as good as sny knight and she pleaded with her father to let her marry for love.  But he wouldn't all it.  She pleaded with him, begged him even, but he wouldn't listen.  Finally the day before her wedding, Princess Sarah went to her father once more and petitioned him.  She wore her armor and carried her sword proudly as any swordsman would do.

    "My king, I declare before you and this court that I shall fight the man you intend for me to marry.  If I break his sword, I will marry the man that I love.  If I don't break his sword and lose this fight, I shall marry the man you chose for me.

    "With those words Princess Sarah sealed her faith.  She fought bravely and hard, and when everyone thought she would lose, she won.  She broke the sword of her betrothed and was no longer bound to a loveless marriage, but one that was filled with love and happiness for the short time she had left to live."

    "What are you saying Father?"  Malana asked.

    "You must do as your mother did.  Petition the king.  Fight Sir Darrel again if you have to, but do what it takes to marry the man you're in love with."

    "Only God can help us."  Sir Darrel said.  "My father won't allow us to break the betrothals.  They were all his idea, not the king."

    "He must if the kingdom is to survive."  Sir Darren said and looked at her.

    "We'll follow at a slower pace."  Sir Darren said and felt of his bound side.

    "I'll await you brother."  The older brother said and went to his horse.  He was joined by four other knights who looked to him for instructions.  "We must ride hard to get to the castle."

    Malana was looking into the fire when she stood suddenly.  "I'm going with you."  She said and looked at her father.  "I have to."

    "Go, Black is ready."  He said with an understanding nod.

    "Malana."  Darren said and grabbed her hand.  "Ride swiftly with God."  He said.

    She smiled and headed for her stallion.  She grabbed his mane and swung into the saddle.  She still wore her helmet and she tightened it as she prepared herself to ride.

    "Are you prepared to ride all night Princess Malana?"  Sir Darrel asked.

    "Yes, even longer if I have to."  She said and looked at the red mare.  "I need to take Ruby with me.  Will one of you lead her?"

    "I'll ride the mare my princess, if that is alright with you?"  Came the voice of one of the two women the king had sent.

    Malana looked at the red haired woman and knew who she was.  The resemblance was there in the eyes of the young woman.  She left the back of Black and went to stand in front of Anna.  "You are my half sister."  She said and looked up into the blue eyes of the taller red head.  She took off her helmet so Anna could see her face.

    "You have our fathers eyes."  Anna said and reached up to feel Malana's black hair.  "My mother said that I touched your black hair when you were born."

    "Anna has the fire red hair of your father and you have your mothers black hair."  The Master Swordsman said as he led the red mare up.  "Get in the saddle and ride.  You can talk later once you're both safely at Rosewood."

    "She's a bit jumpy so watch her."  Malana said and put her helmet back on.  She swung back into the saddle and kicked the stallion into a lope through the woods.  "Lead the way Sir Darrel."  She called and rode Black right beside Ruby and Anna as they raced down the road after the knight.

    The four knights who were following behind their kings two daughters tried their best to keep behind the running mounts of the two women, but they slowly began to fall behind.  Only Sir Darrel looking behind and slowing the pace allowed them to catch up.

    "My ladies, are you alright?  Is the pace to fast for you?"  He asked Anna and Malana.

    "No Sir Darrel."  Anna said and smiled.  "I feel as if I'm flying on this mare Ruby."

    "I believe Ruby belongs to Anna more than the king."  Malana said as she eyed the red mare.  "I've never seen her so docile and content to be ridden before."

    "Did you raise her?"

    "Yes, she's a year older that Black here and she's always bee high strung and a bit flighty."

    "Who's the better horse?  Black or Ruby?"

    "I always thought Ruby was."  Malana said and patted her stallion on the neck.  "But I always did prefer Black over Ruby."

    All through the night the seven riders galloped toward Rosewood.  At sunrise they entered a village and stopped at one of the houses where a man was just leaving for his days work.  "Where can we purchase a meal?"  Sir Darrel asked.

    "My wife can serve you my lord, if you don't mind porridge."

    "It doesn't matter as long as it's filling."  Sir Darrel said and stepped from his horse.  He helped Anna off Ruby before he turned to help Malana.  He reached her side just as she swung her leg over the saddle and stepped to the ground.

    "Who'll tend our mounts?"  She asked as she patted Black.

    "I'll have the smith tend your animals."  the man said and hurried away to another house.

    "Shall we go inside my ladies."  Sir Darrel said and opened the door of the house.  He stepped inside and faced a large woman that was clearing off the table.  "Your husband said we might get some hot porridge to eat."

    "Yes my lord, I have porridge, but you must have more than that to eat."  She said and watched as Malana pulled her helmet off.  "Why there be two ladies with you."  She said.  "Come my ladies, sit near the fire while I get some tea ready for you."  She said and showed the two ladies to the chairs near the fire.  "Ruth, run to your aunts house and tell her to come quickly.  I have need of her help with our guest."

    "Yes Mother."  Ruth said and hurried from the house.

    "Come Sirs, sit here.  Rest a few moments while I get you some food."  She said and quickly gathered bowls of hot porridge.  "Mother, Aunt Hanna said she would bring her ham for the knights."

    "That's good, now take this porridge to our guest while I fix the tea I promised the ladies."  she said and handed off the bowls to her daughter.

    Malana barely ate anything as she sat in the chair.  She looked into the fire and the next thing she knew, someone was shaking her shoulder to get her attention.  "Princess, we must go now."  The deep male voice said near her ear.  "Sir Darrel is waiting on us."

    "Give me a moment."  She said and stood.  She looked around the house and saw the family gathered together near the door.  "Thank you for your kindness."  She said and nodded her head.

    "It was our pleasure my lady."  the man said and bowed his head in return.

    "Sir John we need to ride!"  Sir Darrel called from the door as he looked into the house.  "The king is expecting his daughters at the castle."

    "Yes Sir Darrel."  He said and looked at Malana.  "Come Princess, your father awaits you at the castle."

    "Have these good people been paid for the food we ate Sir John?"  She asked as he headed from the house.

    "I'll take care of it Princess."  Sir John said and pulled out several coins.  "This should take care of the food we ate and the grain our horses were given."

    The man looked at the money quickly, then at the retreating back of the knight.  "My lord, this is to much!"  He yelled and watched as the knight mounted his horse.

    "Consider it a gift from the king."  Malana said and kicked Black into a lope.  She led the way from the village with Anna and Sir Darrel right behind her.  She let Black have his head and the young stallion flew down the road.  After three miles of hard running, she slowed him to a lope and let the others atch up to her before she turned to Sir Darrel.  "We need to get to the castle.  There is something wrong."  She said and looked at her sister.  "Can you ride all night again?"

    "Yes."  Anna said with a nod.

    "There is still a hundred seventy miles to go before we reach the castle."  Sir Darrel said and looked at the other knights.  "We ride fast and hard."  He said and faced forward.  "Lead off Princess Malana."  He said and put his mount into a run.

    Malana held back to ride beside Anna, but when the older girl urged ruby into a dead run, she let Black go also.  The black horse trailed the red mare for a while, then he found his stride and opened up.  He flew down the road faster than any horse Malana had ever ridden before in her entire sixteen years of life.