The King & The Prince

Sir Edward

Evelyn 

That had been the most terrifying thing I had ever experienced, sitting in front of the king explaining myself to him. Why did Carissa have to be sick today of all days? I can still smell the vomit from her room, father sent me to fetch her when she hadn’t been there to greet King Roland.

Earlier

I didn’t even bother to knock and barged in on her retching her stomach contents into a bucket on the floor and a very panicked Sarah trying to clean off her bed.

“How long have you been sick Carissa?” I asked as I covered my nose and mouth with my hands.

“Just this morning Lady Evelyn, she can’t stop she must have eaten something that didn’t sit well with her.” Sarah was lying I could tell by the way she looked at everything in the room but me.

“Well King Roland has arrived I assumed you would have been the first one to greet your betrothed, but now I see why you weren’t there you look awful. Just clean this up and get back into bed I will explain to father what’s going on.” I went to leave but Carissa’s hand flew up for me to stop, she hadn’t lifted her head from the bucket this entire time.

“Sarah go fetch me some ginger tea from the kitchen! Tell father to just give me a moment to clean myself up a bit and I will be right down.” Her voice sounded horrible.

“Are you sure that is a good idea? You’re clearly sick Carissa do you want to get the King sick as well?” I still hand my hands covering my face I did not want to get anything she had.

“I am sure it can’t be spread just something I ate Evy, I’ll drink the tea and meet you downstairs.” Somehow she managed to stand and head to the washroom.

“Okay don’t be too long Carissa.”

Father and I waited for ten minutes in front of the dining hall for her. I told him that she was sick and should just rest until she felt better but he disagreed.

“He needs her Evelyn, he means to have an heir by next winter, and none of the other noble women have been suitable to become his queen. Carissa must be the one as she is the last for him to court.” He sounded uncertain to me.

“But what of Lord Abraham’s daughter? Prince Kane said she was sick but …” He cut me off.

“Lady Sasha cannot even get out of her bed she is so weak. She has the same disease that took her mother I’m afraid.”

“So Carissa is his last hope?” I was certain if I were in his shoes I would not put my hopes and dreams in Carissa’s hands.

“Yes, AHH there she is! Darling are you feeling better?” He took one look at her and his face fell, she looked like death itself.

Her eyes were puffy, her skin the color of ash, how long had she been sick? Your face doesn’t change that drastically over night, I watched carefully as she walked behind our father her dress had either shrunk or she had gained a few pounds on her once tiny frame. How long had it been since I had really looked at my sister? Week’s maybe? I had spent most of my time with Kane over the last few months but I would have noticed this much of a change in her surely. She still smelt of vomit lathered in lavender. God I was about to be the one to get sick. She just nodded her head and we followed our father into his study.

Present Time

 What on God’s green earth had I gotten myself into now? A knight? I had to fight a knight? Sure I had beaten Kane more times than I could count but this knight was going to be out to kick my ass and make it impossible for me to become who I needed to be. I ran to the general’s old cottage to gather my armor and sparring swords, s**t I hadn’t even asked what we would be doing. Short sword, long sword, lance or archery? Damnit I was too excited with the chance opportunity that I hadn’t even asked.

I was half way out of my dress when Kane busted through the door, hopefully I had covered my breast before he saw them. His face turned beet red and turned around faster than I had ever seen him move.

“Evy I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to … I mean I… s**t I’m sorry I barged in.”He stuttered out. All I could do was laugh nervously. I hurried to switch back into my shirt and trousers as fast as I possibly could.

“Kane its fine, I’m not entirely sure if you saw anything or not but I’m covered now you can turn around.” I managed to muster out praying that I was right and he hadn’t seen my naked chest.

Kane turned around he tried to hide the smirk with a fake cough. Embarrassing, now I knew for sure he had seen.  I turned away from him and motioned asking him to help me with my breastplate and he latched it up with ease trying his best not to touch me in the process.

“Kane, do you know what I am to prepare for? I didn’t ask your brother I was too excited at the chance.” My palms were starting to sweat at the thought of the king watching me spar with his own knight.

“I’m not sure, maybe the short sword I could have Roland make that the choice if you’d prefer it.” He was acting strange since our kiss this morning.

“No you don’t have to do that, I am not very good at the lance… what if he chooses the lance?” I was terrified now.

Kane grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him. Those hazel eyes bore into my own as he lifted my chin.

“Evelyn you will beat him I know it. You are by far the best student I have ever trained with and I am not saying that because you have beaten me more times than I can count. Sam was right you are truly someone special little dove I would stake my life on you winning.” His words spoke to my soul and if my head hadn’t of stopped me I would have kissed him right there with everything I had but I couldn’t not if I wanted to be the commander I had fought so hard to become.

“Kane don’t make me cry, I am trying to prove myself as a warrior.” We both laughed but it was forced both of us longing for more than we would ever be allowed to have.

Our lives were both dedicated to the crown, I wanted my freedom from the normal role that a woman should play as deemed by society. I was destined for more than being a broodmare, cooking meals, and mending shirts it was not something I envisioned myself doing. I wanted to fight for my people and be respected by men who thought a woman was less than the dirt on their boots. Love wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself but Kane was making it hard for my heart to resist him. He saw me as his equal not just some woman pretending to be a soldier.

“Sorry I just wanted you to know I believe in you Evy, truly now go out there and make me proud.” He released my chin but never broke eye contact with me as if he wished I would kiss him this time.

“I will Kane I promise.” With that he released me and we made our way to the barracks.

Everyone had already gathered in a circle around the arena watching and waiting for the fight to begin. King Roland caught my eye as I walked behind Kane into the arena he smiled at me and I returned the smile, he looked regal in his crème and gold blazer it was almost identical to the one Kane had worn to General Sam’s funeral. He didn’t seem to be anything like the late King Gerald, maybe what Kane had said was right. My father sat beside him and he offered me a smile as well. I hope I could make him proud I have prayed for this for years I had already won Kane over now it was my turn to win over the king.

The knight he had chosen was the biggest man I had ever laid eyes on. He had to be two inches taller than Paul and weigh twice as much. I glanced back at the king who just smirked at me as if he knew what I was thinking. He put me up against a giant who was terrifying. The knight never spoke the entire time he just stared at me like I was a turkey leg he wished to devour. This time it was Kane who rubbed my shoulders through my armor, he leaned down to speak in my ear but it was all muffled. Never show fear… that’s the first lesson in training and I was scared out of my mind. My palms were covered in sweat my heart was beating so loud I was sure even the king himself could hear it.

“Evelyn! Calm down he is just a man a really big man, but the big ones fall twice as hard remember that!”It was Paul who snapped me back to reality.

I glanced at him and tried to focus on the words coming out of his mouth. Calm down he wanted me to calm down when I was about to face the biggest man I had ever seen! Kane turned me to face away from the giant.

“Listen to me; he is just a man nothing more. You are quicker than him I’m sure of it, tire him out jump around make him sweat!” He was whisper yelling at me trying to convince me that I had this.

“Kane… I don’t … I can’t… ugh…” The words wouldn’t come out how in the hell was I going to overpower this beast?

I took a deep breath and turned to face the king, the smirk that still adorned his face proved to me that he knew exactly what he was doing by choosing this man. He wanted to intimidate me, get my nerves so riled up that I forfeit. So I did the only thing I could think and gave him my best smile. His eyes got wide I guess he thought I would act like a woman and shy away from this fight but I couldn’t, I wouldn’t.

Kane  

This was his way out of what could very well be a bad political decision. Naming Evelyn as the commander in Northwood would infuriate the other Lords. They would strike and not send their recruits to be trained by a woman, s**t he could have chosen a different knight though not Edward. I’ve never liked the man he was made to be a warrior, a strong evil prick. He was a few years younger than me but we have fought a few times and I have only beaten him at the short sword once. He is talented but fights dirty there’s no room for Evelyn to second guess herself with him she had to focus.

“Focus! Do not let him wear you down, he is strong Evy very strong this is going to be difficult I won’t lie but I know you can do it.” I try to be calm when speaking to her but inside I want nothing more than to beat the s**t out of Roland, king or not.

“I can do this… I can do this…” she kept repeating it over and over and I could only pray she believed it herself.

I glanced at Roland he was chatting with Lord Harlow both acting as if this was an equal matchup. Rage was all I could feel walking towards them both shoving any and everyone out of my way. Roland looked up at me and excused himself from his conversation with James. We walked away from the gathering crowd.

“What the f**k is this Roland? Edward of all the knights you chose that bastard?” My teeth clenched I was trying to control what little patience I had left.

“Kane, I cannot take it easy on her. If she is willing to fight Edward I have a better chance at the other Lords’ accepting her! Just because you, James and Sam say she is capable of training soldiers does not mean they will see it the same way! Damn it I am trying here I will NOT just hand over a title to her no matter the outcome of this fight!” He was trying to explain it as if I didn’t already know the consequences of naming a woman as a commander.

“Have it your way your Highness, but know that if he breaks any bone in her body I will not hesitate to slit his throat!” I didn’t give him a chance to reply, I had to get back to Evelyn she had to be confident or he would beat her.

I made it back to her just before Roland announced the two opponents; Liam and Porter had joined her and were giving her another pep talk. She looked more like herself the confident little ball of fire I have come to know and love.  She started her little jumping ritual bouncing back and forth like her life depended on it. Roland stood to silence everyone so he could announce the fight and get on with it.

“Northwood, I have gathered you all here today to bear witness to the battle of Lady Evelyn Harlow and Sir Edward Delk. I have chosen the long sword as the weapon for today. May the best ma…. Soldier win.” He smiled at Evelyn but it did not reach his eyes and motioned for one of the squires to hand each of them a dulled down sword and shield.

Edward took his sword and shield without a word, Evy thanked the young squire and got into position, her fighting stance was perfect. She couldn’t crouch down like she would have normally done Edward was too big. 

“Begin!!!” Roland yelled.

I could do nothing but watch as he slammed his sword into hers over and over. Never giving her a chance to strike at him. She met each blow but every time he struck her she fell back two steps if Evelyn didn’t do something quick he would overpower her. Paul was yelling at her from the other side of the arena but she was too focused to listen. I tried to get into her line of view to encourage her but it was no use Edwards frame blocked me from her.

King Roland

I was on the edge of my seat, this had been my idea but I had hoped she would have forfeited the moment she saw her opponent. s**t what was wrong with me? Who in their right mind thought this to be a fair fight? Yes, Evelyn was holding her own at the moment but at what cost? He was going to break her arm if this continued. James was clasping his hands nervously but I had explained my reasoning behind this and why it was so important. He said he understood and he even agreed to allow it even though Edward clearly had an advantage.

I watched as she grabbed her sword with both hands trying to put all of her strength into him but it wasn’t enough, the knight was as strong as an ox. Evelyn looked as if she was about to yield when Edward took his armored free hand and knocked her unconscious. Blood curdling screams filled the air everyone was in a panic, this had backfired and it was entirely my fault. I raced past James pushing people out of my way I had to take her to the mansion, this had been my doing. After what felt like an eternity I reached her, her limp body was laying there a very large man had her head in his lap. He looked at me with so much hatred but I didn’t care I had to get her out of here. Kane was nowhere in sight as I lifted her into my arms and all but ran back to the mansion. James was hot on my trail, Mary must have heard all the commotion she met us at the door and it was as if she had seen a ghost.

“Where do I take her?” I tried to remain calm but inside my heart was racing. Nothing.

“Where can I take her?!” I demanded.

“This way your Highness, and watch her head.” I followed Mary down the hall as she barked out orders for water and clean clothes to the younger maids.

She opened the door and motioned for me to place Evelyn on the bed. I laid her down carefully and started to remove her armor, I studied her face thankfully there was no blood but a nasty bruise had already formed on her cheek. Even dirty and bruised she was beautiful, I stepped aside as Mary and James sat beside her both grasping her hands. The love and devotion they had for her was evident in this very moment. I had to apologize to them both and her once she woke up.

“I am so sorry; I didn’t expect her to accept the challenge and I didn’t know he was capable of this. I underestimated both of them and I will never forgive myself for it.” God how had I been blind to my own knight’s evil nature?

“She has a fighting spirit your Highness, she always has, Evy will be fine.” It was Mary that had spoken, she never looked at me she just kept rubbing Evelyn’s hand and stroking her hair.

“Samuel taught her to never back down from a challenge no matter the opponent your Highness, even if it meant defeat. She is just unconscious her pulse is strong, we will fetch her some herbs from the kitchen for the pain.” James was confident that she would wake up; there was no anger in his voice at all.