The Exiled Princess

Calbern

Astrid's throat and mouth were drier than the cakes that Caleb tried to bake for her birthday last year. When she and Raiden had woken that morning, she hadn't been able to bring herself to say much. What happened today would dictate the rest of her life. What if Caleb had somehow already given a story to the king?

Now she and Raiden were stopped in front of the great iron gates protecting the city of Calbern, and she wanted to cry. Raiden spoke quickly and quietly with the watchman and the gates opened for them.

Astrid urged Baldur inside the city after Raiden, unable to keep her eyes from darting around as they moved forward. The city was much different than the world outside; instead of the greens and browns found inside the forests, here everything was permeated with silvers, golds, pinks, and purples. Everything was so vibrant, so loud. People scurried about their business, bartering and gossiping with so much energy that Astrid started to feel suffocated.

A hand closed around her shoulder, and she looked up to see Raiden's clear blue eyes studying her. "Let's get Baldur a stall at the castle stables," he said. His voice was quiet but still managed to cut through the chaos around them. "You and I will walk from there."

"Raiden," Astrid whispered. "What's going to happen to me?"

Raiden hesitated, then said, "I don't know, Astrid." His eyes locked onto hers. "But I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure you get justice for your family."

Astrid's anxiety calmed; there was something about this man that made her believe everything he said. She wasn't sure she liked it, but she trusted him.

Straightening her shoulders, Astrid gave a curt nod and Raiden led her through the crowded streets until the pillars of the palace rose up in front of them. Raiden guided her to the side of the palace where a large stable awaited. They handed their reins to the stable hand, who looked at the two of them curiously before taking their horses inside. Baldur shoved his head against Astrid's chest and nickered softly before allowing himself to be led away. She watched him go, heart in her throat.

Once she was on the ground, Astrid took the time to look around at the castle grounds. Like Starfell, the grass and gardens were well taken care of. But the size of the palace grounds...it was breathtaking. And overwhelming. Astrid felt as though she were an ant scuttling along the floor of a forest.

"It's so extravagant," Raiden muttered beside her. His eyes were focused on the manicured topiary lining the border of the grounds. Each hedge and tree glittered with the dozens of sparkling silver balls entwined around them. "There's no need for that many diamonds."

Astrid swallowed hard. "Those are diamonds?"

"Yeah. King Lazarus is exorbitantly wealthy, and wants everyone to know it." Raiden shook his head. "Er, maybe don't tell him I said anything though. Are you ready?"

"No," Astrid admitted, straightening her shoulders and rubbing the grass stain Baldur had left on her shirt. "But I need to get it over with at some point."

Raiden nodded. "That's the spirit. Follow me."

Astrid shook with a cocktail of anxiety, excitement, and curiosity as she trailed Raiden through the castle. Soldiers in glittering armor nodded at Raiden as they passed, but otherwise stood silent and stoic along each hallway. Servants milled around soundlessly, keeping out of Astrid and Raiden's path. A few looked up at them curiously, but quickly turned away when they saw Astrid's gaze upon them.

Two guards in golden ceremonial armor stood outside the door to King Lazarus's throne room. Raiden halted in front of them. Astrid followed suit, standing behind him. "This is Lady Astrid of Starfell Keep," Raiden said. "She's a Seal-Keeper. Please let King Lazarus and Captain Myron know."

The older of the two guards nodded curtly. "We've been expecting you," she said. Her gray eyes pierced through the air, watching Astrid for any sign of danger. "She should be bound."

"I disagree," Raiden said coolly. "Now can we go in or not?"

The two guards opened the double doors and stepped aside, the younger one stifling a snicker at Raiden's words. Raiden turned and offered his arm to Astrid. "Shall we?" he asked her, mouth upturned in a half smile.

Astrid hesitated, then took the offered arm and let him lead her into the largest throne room she had ever seen. Not that that's saying much, she chided herself. Even so, her eyes couldn't help sweeping over the golden walls and glittering chandeliers.

The chatter in the room died away as they entered, but Astrid kept her head high. Raiden looked straight ahead, and Astrid struggled to do the same. These people look like peacocks, she thought delightedly. She wanted to twirl, to take in the curious fashions and arcane symbols etched into the walls. For one glorious moment, she had forgotten the reason for her presence here.

That moment crashed down on her as they halted in front of a large golden throne. Raiden bowed, pulling on her arm so that she bowed in tandem.

"Rise," a deep voice said. Raiden and Astrid straightened with varying degrees of grace.

Astrid chanced a glance up at the king's face. He had laugh lines carved into his face and twinkling brown eyes. He wore an expression of mingled curiosity and somberness.

"So," King Lazarus said, sitting back and folding his hands into his lap. "You're the young woman who ran away with one of the most powerful artifacts this world has ever seen."