The Exiled Princess

Fiends & Stardust

Sunlight crested over the top of the Silvan Mountains, illuminating the two figures in the courtyard of Starfell Keep, their blades and feet dancing through the sunrise. Astrid squinted her eyes against the glare as her blade clashed against Meridia's and she narrowly dodged a counterattack. "How long will you be gone?" she asked, swinging her sword toward the older woman's stomach.

Meridia stepped back and lowered her sword. "A day or two. Herrin's scouts say that it's only a small scouting group. Fiends are trouble, but shouldn't be difficult to deal with if they remain limited."

"Why aren't you one of the Shadow Guard?" Astrid asked, remembering the conversation she had overheard in the Starlit Dove. She lunged forward, attempting to strike at Meridia's chest.

Meridia blocked the attack easily, regarding Astrid with something odd in her eyes. "Why do you ask?"

Astrid shrugged. "It's a group of elite warriors that fight monsters and don't have to answer to a Lord. It seems like something you'd enjoy."

Meridia gave a short laugh. "You know me far too well," she conceded. "But you need more than skill to make it into the Guard. There's a certain...spark that's needed to get through the Trials. You have to be willing to give up everything in order to defeat the Fiends, no ties or attachments of any kind." She twisted her blade around Astrid's and promptly disarmed the young noblewoman. "I couldn't do that," she said, leaning down and handing Astrid her sword. "My place was here, with your family."

*****

Lord Ewan and General Meridia had barely left the Keep when Caleb nudged his sister. "Ready to get out of the castle?" he asked. "There's a place in the gardens I think you'll like."

Astrid grinned up at him, barely able to contain her excitement. "Absolutely."

He chuckled, motioning for her to follow him out of the castle and down the stone path leading into the garden. She gazed around in awe as they walked. Years ago, she'd managed to sneak out here once and had wandered along the green hedges and moonlit flowers for several minutes before the guards found her. It was different in the day; everything was more vibrant, more alive.

Astrid breathed in the smell of the garden and couldn't help smiling as Caleb led her further and further into the shrubbery and flowers. He stopped at a small gate and held it open for her. She walked through and stared, amazed by the sight around her. There was a small pond with a weeping willow dipping its branches in the clear water and small violet flowers scattered in the grass around them.

Caleb sat down with a groan and opened the basket he'd been carrying. "Come eat."

Astrid obeyed dazedly, still gazing around them. She had never imagined anything this beautiful could exist.

"I'm sorry," Caleb said after a while.

She turned to see him watching her, a sad smile on his face. "For what?"

"I've been trying for years to get dad to let you come here," he said. Astrid tilted her head, confused by his use of 'dad.' Nobles were encouraged to be as formal as possible, and she'd never heard him this relaxed. She didn't really mind though; it was nice to be away from the formalities and politics of the castle.

Caleb continued, jostling Astrid from her thoughts. "This was mom's favorite place in the garden. He tried to light it on fire a few years ago, but Meridia stopped him." He hesitated. "I guess I'm just sorry that I never had the courage to sneak you out. It can't have been easy, staying locked up all the time."

Astrid shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "I had a lot of time to explore the castle," she said with an attempt at positivity. "And I've been trying to escape into the village as much as I can, so I've seen a little bit here and there."

Caleb snorted. "Yeah, I've heard dad screaming about that. I also saw that you've started swordplay lessons with Meridia in the mornings."

Astrid's head jerked up. "Don't tell him," she pleaded. "I've only been doing it a few weeks and I'm still so, so bad at it. Let me at least get to the point where I'm able to hold a sword for longer than two minutes."

Caleb laughed. "Relax, your secret's safe with me."

She grinned at him. "Thank you."

They ate in silence for another minute or two before he spoke again. "I could use your help with something."

"Of course," she said immediately.

"The Seal that's bound to dad...what happens if he dies?"

Astrid nibbled on her sandwich thoughtfully. It had been a while since she'd read any books on the subject, since Lord Ewan had decided that it was too dangerous for her to know about. Even so, the topic had piqued her interest enough that she'd taken whatever information she could.

"If he died before it was bound to the next heir, any living family members would have the ability to hold it, but not use its power," Astrid said slowly. "If the ritual isn't performed within seven days after his death, it will bind to whoever has it in their possession."

Caleb nodded thoughtfully. "Have you ever seen it?"

Astrid shook her head. "No. Father didn't want me anywhere near it."

"I've only seen it once," he said. "It's an odd thing, otherworldly. You can feel its power as soon as you walk in the room."

"Where does he keep it?"

"It's in the hidden vault he built at the back of his closet," Caleb answered. He gave her a sidelong glance. "Would you like to see it?"

Astrid hesitated. If they were caught, there was no telling how long Ewan would lock her up in her room. But to see the Seal, something she'd read so much about..."Yes," she said. "I would love to."

*****

The door to Ewan's room creaked open. Caleb motioned for Astrid to hurry inside and looked around to make sure no guards were approaching. She opened the closet doors and he stepped in first. He pushed his palm on the far wall and tendrils of green light sprouted from his hand, reaching out to each edge of the wall. Then the wood vanished, leaving a doorway in its place. The two siblings stepped through and Astrid gasped.

This room was half the size of their father's, with marble floors and walls. In the center was a tall dais made of the same material. Floating about the dais was a large clear crystal with silver branches twisting around it, connecting it to a silver chain that could be used as a necklace.

Something tugged at Astrid, pulling her towards the strange stone. She slowly walked towards it before stopping several inches in front of it, unwilling to get too close. "It's beautiful," she said reverently. "Did you know that after the Seals were used to lock away the Fiends, each of the Lords swore to always wear them? They wrote in their journals that the barrier would be strongest when the Seals were actively used to protect people."

"What changed?" Caleb hadn't moved from the entrance, his eyes locked on her as she studied the Seal.

Astrid shrugged with one shoulder. "I'm not really sure. Every account is different, and I'm really only familiar with our bloodline. Several generations ago, the Seal chose to bind itself to Lady Kierra rather than her husband, Lord Gregor. He was furious and had her killed, then claimed that it brought misery to all who wore it. He succeeded in binding it to himself after Kierra's death and locked it away until the realm needed it. Since then, I think it's only been used in the binding ceremony."

"How does the ceremony work?"

"I've never been to one," Astrid said wistfully, her green eyes studying the Seal's facets. Something seemed to be swirling in its depths, a spark of color beginning to ignite. She blinked and it was gone. "And no one will tell me; I don't think anyone really knows except the Kleros and the Lords that have gone through it."

Caleb stepped beside her. "You'll be around when it's bound to me," he said. "Maybe you can document it."

She smiled up at him. "I'd like that, assuming father hasn't married me off by that point."

"When I'm Lord, things will be different," he promised. "You'll be free to do whatever you want."

*****

It was the inhuman screams that woke Astrid, and the clanging of blades that spurred her to action. She lit a candle and quickly wrapped a cloak around her thin nightgown, then slid her practice sword from under her bed. Although the edges of the blade were dulled with magic, it would do enough damage in a pinch.

Before she could reach the door, the window above her bed shattered in a rain of glass and wood. She screamed, ducking down to the ground and staring in horror at the creature that had just climbed into her tower.

It stared back at her, its leathery skin and razor-sharp teeth both glinting in the candlelight. It wore scraps of armor that were tattered and torn, as if they’d been taken from corpses on a battlefield. Its back was hunched and its claws were nearly the length of Astrid’s arm. But it was the eyes that caught her attention–soulless, empty sockets of crimson flame. They were the eyes of a Fiend.

She lunged for the door, but knew immediately that it was no use. Her room was always locked from the outside, a sure way for Ewan and the staff to keep an eye on her. Astrid slammed her sword against the lock and it dented. She hit it again and the lock finally snapped, giving her a glimpse into the bloodied hallway.

Before Astrid could exit the room, the Fiend slashed at her. She cried out as pain speared its way across her back, sending her collapsing to the cold stone floor. The practice blade flew from her hand and she blindly kicked out with her legs, grunting in fearful triumph as they connected with the Fiend and sent it stumbling backward.

She scrambled to her feet and sprinted down the hall. c*****e reigned around her, soldiers and Fiends slashing away at each other with merciless fervor. Blinded by fear, she found herself running into the library, her normal hiding place when she needed space from the ever-watchful servants. There were no Fiends present, but the bookshelves had been ransacked and pushed over. A body lay in the corner, presumably that of the ancient librarian.

Astrid dropped to the ground and crawled underneath one of the fallen bookshelves, trying to stifle her sobs. A soldier paused in the doorway, his war cry cut off by massive claws ripping through his chest. The sword fell from his grasp and the murderous Fiend stepped into the library, its slitted nostrils sniffing the air before it focused its gaze on her. It raised its head to the ceiling and let out a bone-chilling cry.

Fear coursed through her veins instead of blood, but she suddenly couldn’t make her body move. Because there in the doorway was her brother, staring at the Fiend as if listening to its call. “Where?” he asked.

It pointed a long claw at her and she watched, confused, as Caleb moved forward. He crouched in front of her and offered a hand. “Come on out,” he said. “They won’t hurt you.”

She hesitantly took his hand, allowing him to help her stand on shaky legs. “What’s going on?” she croaked, her head throbbing as it attempted to make sense of what she was seeing.

"It's okay," Caleb said soothingly, holding his hand out to her. "You're safe. I just need you to give me the Seal, Astrid."

"I—what?" She took a step backward. "I don't have the Seal, Caleb. It's still—" Her eyes flickered to the Fiend in the doorway. "Still where we left it earlier."

"It's missing," Caleb said, his dark eyes studying her intently. "You're the only other person who knows where it's hidden."

"I don't have it," she repeated quietly. "I'm sorry."

Caleb looked genuinely hurt for a moment. Then he sighed and said, “I was really hoping you wouldn’t make me do this, Astrid.” He placed two fingers to his lips and whistled. The Fiend was joined by three soldiers, each wearing a set of ebony armor reserved for Caleb’s personal bodyguards.

“What’s going on?” she whispered, stepping back.

Her brother ignored the question, choosing instead to walk away. As he stepped out of the library, he waved a hand to the soldiers. “Have your fun. Figure out where she hid the Seal, then kill her.”

“Caleb?” Astrid said again, voice cracking. “Please tell me what’s happening.”

He didn’t answer, disappearing back into the c*****e, the Fiend falling into line beside him. Mute and frozen, Astrid stared at the three men in front of her. “What’s going on?” she pleaded. “Please.”

“Tell us where the Seal is,” one of them said, pointing his longsword towards her. “And we won’t make you suffer.”

“Speak for yourself,” one of the others muttered. “She looks like fun.”

Astrid took another step back, stumbling over the fallen bookcase and falling to the ground as the men began to walk towards her. “I don’t know where it is!” she cried, shaking too badly to try getting up. "Leave me alone!"

Then one of the men crumpled, his helmeted head falling to the ground with a dull clang. Astrid stared at his body, shock and relief pouring through her. General Meridia stood in the man's place, her face bloodied and bruised. Crimson liquid pooled from massive claw marks that had torn through the armor on her left side. Shards of something like ice glittered in the recesses of the wound.

The remaining two soldiers stopped abruptly at the sight of the general, both turning to face her with their swords drawn. Astrid was surprised to see fear flash across their faces; Meridia was a formidable warrior, but was still only one person and severely wounded.

Her doubts were quashed as soon as Meridia lunged forward, whipping her blade through the air with such ferocity that Astrid couldn’t help but gasp in awe and horror.

Blood spurted from the neck of Meridia's target before he could react, and he collapsed to the floor just as the first soldier had. She turned to the last one and said coolly, "Tell Caleb I'm coming for him." The soldier turned and fled, panic sending him hurtling down the hallway.

Meridia waited until the soldier was out of eyesight, then sagged against the wall. Astrid pushed herself upward, then hurried forward to steady the general. "We need to get you out of here," Astrid said fervently.

Meridia shook her head and pulled away from Astrid's grip. She picked up a satchel from the ground next to her feet. "Take this," she said in a tone that left no room for argument. "My horse is in the stable. Take him and get as far away from here as you can."

Astrid took the satchel and slung it over her shoulder. "Meridia, where's..." She couldn't bring herself to finish the question.

Meridia's gaze clouded. "We were ambushed by the Fiends," she said. "There were far more than we’d been led to believe, and the hunt became a massacre.”

"But—"

Meridia gripped Astrid's shoulders with both hands and met her gaze squarely. "You need to go. Now. There is a Shadow Guard on his way to the city of Greyfair. He's expecting you; get the satchel to him.”

Astrid swallowed hard, then nodded, clutching the pouch to her chest. “Are you going to be okay?” she whispered.

Meridia shrugged and gave a half-hearted smile. "I'm never one to turn down a fight," she said. "Now go, little star. You're holding the fate of the world in your hands."

Astrid nodded, then realized she was wasting precious time. Whatever was in the satchel was obviously important, and it had been entrusted to her. She took a deep breath and began to run, tears watering the ground behind her as she fled through the battle-ridden halls of Starfell Keep.

By the time she reached the stables, Astrid's legs were screaming and the pain in her back was making it difficult to breathe. But she couldn't help smiling a little as Meridia's black warhorse, Baldur, nickered eagerly at the sight of her.

Astrid swung herself into his saddle and took in a deep breath. She'd only ridden once since she was a child, and her father had thrown a fit when he'd found out that Meridia had let her do so.

But there was no time to be scared. She flicked the reins and Baldur carried her into the night.