The falcon's daughters

Chapter 63

- I can't believe it's true!Cade raised his head from a report when his father bursted through the doors and started to wander back and forth across the floor.

- Is something wrong father?

- Something wrong! Something wrong! Those damn priests are what's wrong. 

He sighed and put the report down.

- What has happened? 

- Your brother and Solaris' betrothal must be announced when they return and I went to talk to the priests about it.

He stopped and sighed, rubbed his fingers over the root of his nose and sat down.

- They were kind enough to inform me that your brother can not marry Sol.

Surprised Cade looked at his father. Why would the priests not allow his brother to marry Sol?

- Why not?

- Because both he and Solari are already engaged to others.

- What! That can’t be right. The only one Lee has ever been engaged to before was ...

He fell silent and sank down on the chair next to his father. Worgan nodded and put a hand on his shoulder.

- Tyrall's youngest daughter Kitana. And Solari is engaged to you.

- Father, there must be something we can do! I can’t marry the woman my brother loves.

- I wish there was Cade. But the priests refuse to break the betrothal.

- I will not accept this father. There must be a way. I'll talk to them.

He got up and stormed out of the throne room with his father's words echoing behind him.

- Cade there is nothing you can do. Cade!

He hurried through the city streets with thoughts swirling in his head. He didn’t notice how people moved away from his path or that they spoke to him. The only thing he thought of was his goal. The temple of the priests was on the other side of the city and it was the only building that was almost as impressive as the palace. It had gilded spiers along the roof and gold elements in the white stone. He slammed open the golden doors that slammed into the stone walls. A man wearing a yellow robe approached him with a stern look on his face.

- Prince Cadenor! Who do you think you are? Barging in here like that!

- High Priest Gveldor. You can’t let this happen!

The priest’s expression softened and he shook his head and put a hand to Cade's back.

- Prince Cadenor, come with me.

He was taken to a small chamber where Gveldor went to a shelf and took out two scrolls which he handed to Cade.

- These are the engagement agreements that his majesty and King Tyrall made. You know very well why we refuse to accept breaches of royal engagements.

- The risk of war between Carlan and Tamarin is non-existent and you know it. Lee will inherit Tyrall's throne and I, my fathers. Do you really think my brother and I will ever fight each other?

- It may not happen. But your highness, this is something that we, the high priests in every country, have come to an agreement about. A royal betrothal can never be broken.

- But if both my father and King Tyrall agree to it?

- Not even then, your highness.

- So you mean that Lee will never get to marry the one he loves.

- I'm sorry, your highness. But that wedding can never take place.

Gveldor took the scrolls and put them back on the shelf.

- I would like to see Prince Leerian happily married but there is nothing that can be done

- Is there really no other way?

Gveldor thought for a long time and took out the two scrolls again. He examined them carefully and when he looked up there was a small smile on his lips.

- There might be a way so that Prince Leerian and Princess Solari can get married. I can accept that an amendment is made to the engagement agreements.

- And it would mean ...

Gveldor raised his eyebrows meaningfully and looked at him. Cade burst out in a low laugh when he realised exactly what the priest was referring to.

- Well I hope you have someone who can inherit the throne from my father. Because when I tell Princess Kitana about this, she's going to kill me.

- Do you want me to make the alterations, your highness?

- Do it! 

Cade shouted over his shoulder as he turned and left the temple.

Sol looked anxiously at the dark clouds on the horizon. The lightning flashed clearly in the dark and she gripped the railing tightly as the ship sank down into the valley after a strong wave. The nausea washed over her and she took a deep breath and closed her eyes hoping to shut it out. The ship's wavy progress made her quickly open them again.

- Is everything as it should be your highness?

She looked up at captain Mallak who observed her worriedly. With a moan she managed to force a faint smile.

- I'm probably just not made out to be out at sea I'm afraid, captain

- This is not a life for sensitive stomachs. Let's see if we can do something about it for you.

He looked around and when his gaze fell on a slender man, with a thin beard that followed his jaw, he shouted.

- Zangu!

- Captain?

Zangu went over to them and when the ship made another dive and he saw how Sol pressed her hand to her stomach, he smiled sympathetically.

- Whisk together one of your specialties. The princess' stomach does not agree with her, I'm afraid. It's probably best if you make it strong.

Mallak added after a look at Sol's pale face.

- Right away captain. And for the sake of the princess, I'll add something that makes it taste good.

One of the younger crewmen looked up in surprise and exclaimed.

- You can do that? 

- Of course boy.

Zangu laughed and showed a smile that was missing several teeth. 

- Why do you think the captain said it was one of my specialties?

- Why have we only gotten the bad-tasting ones then?

The young man muttered softly and Zangu let out a bellowing laugh.

- Don’t whine boy. You just need to find your sea legs. The worse the drink tastes, the less you want it.

Zangu quickly disappeared under deck when the ship made another dive and Sol desperately held on to the railing. Mallak patted her hand and assured her.

- You will feel better after you have received Zangu's drink. But I must warn you. This is nothing against what we will encounter when we reach the sea of storms.

- You mean it will get worse?

Weakly she glanced up at him.

- I'm afraid so, your highness. But don’t worry. We've been through the sea of storms many times before, me and this old scab.

- Here you are, princess. 

Zangu held out a smoking goblet to her. 

- This should give you sea legs for a while. And when it has stopped working, just come and tell me and I will throw together a new one for you.

- Thank you Zangu.

With a faint smile she looked down into the cup. The liquid was green and bubbling faintly. She raised the cup to her nose and sniffed. A faint scent of mint was felt. Zangu laughed at her scrunching nose

- It won’t help to sniff it princess. Just swipe it. I added some mint to improve the taste.

She looked up hesitantly at the two men, both of whom nodded encouragingly. Finally, she took a deep breath and swallowed the contents of the cup. Despite the mint, she could feel the bitter taste that probably would have usually burned her throat. She closed her eyes when the liquid ran down her upset stomach. After a few moments, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at them in surprise.

- I told you it would work.

Zangu said happily with a smile that would have gone all the way around his head if the ears had not been in the way.

- Do you feel better, your highness?

- Yes, I do. Thank you Zangu.

She smiled brightly and Zangu looked a bit embarrassed.

- Oh it’s nothing, princess. Just find me when you start feeling sick again.