Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Eighteen: Enthralled

During the first week of their journey to Etria, Donovan, Morgan, and their armed escort endured a nearly continuous downpour and high winds. Finally, the rain clouds relented and let in the warm sun. After another two weeks of delightful weather, their armed contingent topped a hill to gaze upon Etria, the capital city of Caralon. Less than a half-mile away stood the Western bridge.

It was a massive structure that spanned the vast swirling waters of the Thunder River far below. Upon each end of the long wooden bridge stood two huge gray limestone towers complete with gates. Along the balcony, at the top of each tower, were limestone parapets with arrow-loops, and there were additional arrow slits at varying heights as well. The prince had heard the top of each bridge tower also supported two of the massive Giant killing ballistae.

Upon the roof of each turret, the Royal Crest of Caralon flapped in the wind. It was a silver knight in plate mail, and a bascinet helm with a visor mounted upon a rearing armored chestnut horse upon a field of forest green. The detail of the knight and horse were amazing to behold.

Armed guards inspected everyone who crossed the bridge in both directions. The traffic was almost nonstop, comprised of everything from various riders, wagons, carts, to citizenry on foot. The sentinels stood at the innermost towers and wore layered boiled-leather armor, gleaming sallet helms, and chest plates. Morgan galloped to the forefront of their party and led them past the guards who immediately saluted when they saw her. Princess Morgan greeted them with a respectful nod and continued towards Etria’s Main Gates.

Ahead, the light-gray limestone walls of the capital city towered into the sky. Green ivy covered the walls here and there, as it did on the walls surrounding Kandalare. Flashes of blue, dark red, bronze, and green darted and wheeled about the walls and towers. They were darters, feeding upon the sumptuous bounty of insects provided by the rivers below. Donovan noted the great fortress city appeared to be intact, with no signs of disrepair.

Colossal gate-house towers stood at each side of the large iron-clad, oak gates. Along the walls were great regularly spaced stone towers, complete with turrets, battlements, and arrow loops. Donovan noted the arrow-slits were carefully located to provide withering fire upon any attackers below.

Past the Main Gates, Morgan led Changa and Donovan to an expansive center avenue, made of smooth multicolored flagstones. On each side of the street, stood various statues of men and women in different poses, carved from white marble. In the center of the road stood a beautiful fountain depicting the Goddess Elliana gazing upon Aederan below. Around the statue were many small fountains.

At the end of the avenue, Morgan dismounted from her horse. She gave her horse’s bridle to a guard, who was wearing layered boiled leather armor and a polished sallet helm and chest piece. Donovan followed Princess Morgan’s example. The guards stayed behind with the horses and his other men, while the princess, Changa, and Prince Donovan ascended smooth marble steps. Upon reaching the top of the stone steps, the prince paused to gaze upon the bustling City of Etria.

Before Morgan and Donovan extended a broad stone boulevard where magnificent trees towered over flowering shrubs, which grew along both sides. A large marketplace sat along a wide boulevard. Prince Donovan saw Etria and Kandalare’s merchants had much in common, as they walked through the square. Along the opposite side of the large outdoor market stood an expansive wooded park, through which walkways of smooth multicolored flagstones wound. Flowers bloomed here and there, blazes of color among the roots of large trees which provided varying amounts of shade. People walked along walkways, sat on stone benches, or played on the park’s glens.

“This place is called Queen Alanna’s Wood. It is more commonly known as Alanna’s Wood. My father had this park built and commemorated for everyone to use, in memory of my mother, who died giving birth to me. It is my most favorite place in the world,” Morgan said, turning to them with a smile.

Donovan surveyed the park around them with a sense of peace. It was hard to believe a large bustling city surrounded this spacious green garden.

“Come,” Morgan beckoned. She once more took the lead.

The three of them walked along a broad walkway towards a small hill covered in flowering trees, shrubs, and plants. An immense tomb of polished marble stood atop the mound. Bundles of cut flowers lay upon and around its smooth surface. Carved into its flawless face, gilded in gold, were the words Alanna, Queen of Etria. At equal intervals around the tomb were stone benches.

From one of the benches, stood King Aramus whom Donovan and his father had visited last year when they celebrated his birthday. The king’s brown and gray hair was cut short, and his beard and mustache were well-trimmed. Upon his head was the Crown of Caralon, a band of gold filigree, within which sat a stunning sapphire. He wore a forest green tunic and leggings with gold buttons and a light green long-sleeved shirt of satin. Overall, the ruler of Caralon wore a long forest green linen cape trimmed in white ermine. Upon his feet were black leather shoes.

Etria’s King was flanked by six Royal Caralonian Guards who were armored in plate mail and wore sallet helms. For a few moments, Morgan’s father stood there motionless; Abruptly, he smiled warmly and stepped forward.

“Morgan, you’re finally back. We received a message, informing us you had sustained an injury yet were recovering nicely,” King Aramus said pleasantly.

The king held her for a moment and upon releasing her, strode towards Donovan and Changa. “You two, I wish to thank you for the safe return of my daughter personally. I am eternally indebted to you. Please tell me what has happened, there have been many rumors.”

Donovan and Changa carefully explained what had occurred, along with Morgan, who periodically assisted them. Through it all, King Aramus’s face barely changed expression. It was like he was hardly listening to what they were saying at all. When they finally finished, her father stood there for a moment longer, nodding silently to himself.

Suddenly, with a motion of his finger, King Aramus called the Royal Guards forward. “According to everything you have told me, Drennard was destroyed through no provocation on Etmindor’s part. Did you believe you could raid your neighbor, and not pay in return for the destruction you have wrought? Did you truly believe you could conceal your treachery?” King Aramus roared angrily.

Swiftly, the king motioned for two of the Royal Guards to step forward and pull Morgan to the side. Many additional guards rushed forward from behind on either side of them, with weapons drawn. Mere minutes later, the guards disarmed them.

“Father, what are you doing?” Morgan stared at her father, horrified by his actions.

With a great deal of effort, Donovan fought to keep his emotions in check, fully realizing the volatility of the situation. “King Aramus, who told you these rumors? They are lies. My father seeks your aid and has sent me here with treaty and alliance papers.”

“Treaty and alliance papers—to what end? To allay our fears, to bide time while you prepare to attack us in force? Prince Donovan, you will not find us so easily deceived,” King Aramus ranted.

“King Aramus—” Donovan suddenly went silent. “The king was on the verge of losing control. Any further conversation would place their lives at risk.”

“Father, this is wrong. They have come here as friends, not enemies. They saved my life and made sure I arrived home safely,” Morgan pleaded.

“Because they have returned you home safely, is the only reason I am allowing them to leave with their lives,” King Aramus replied with disgust. The two guards forcibly led Morgan away, despite efforts on her part to remain present.

“Prince Donovan, my men will escort you and your men to the West Bridge and return your weapons and horses. Go now—before my generosity ceases, and I will not sign any treaty or alliance papers with the likes of you. You shall not find the taking of Etria or our country to be an easy task Prince Donovan.”

In total silence, the Royal Guards escorted them through the city toward the Main Gates of Etria. Two men in plate and chain mail upon well-groomed mounts rode into view before the gates. The Royal Guards came to attention upon sighting the two mounted men. One of them with gray hair Donovan recognized; it was General Derrin, an old friend of the family. With a wink, the brown-eyed, broad-shouldered sly fox acknowledged his presence.

“Sergeant, please give these men back their weapons and horses. Lieutenant Fieger and I will escort them to the West Bridge and make sure they leave Etria. Thus, we will have both done our duty. I will personally make sure these vermin leave the city as I promised.”

“Yes, Sir,” the barrel-chested guard said. The Royal Caralonian Guard quickly complied.

Donovan and his men mounted their horses without hesitation. Prince Donovan quietly rode between General Derrin and Lieutenant Fieger towards the West Bridge, with the remainder of his men following.

“Prince Donovan, please understand you have many friends among the military and the citizens of Caralon. I most humbly apologize for King Aramus’s unseemly rude behavior. The king has not been himself for some time now, and our country suffers greatly from a lack of effective leadership,” General Derrin said in a lowered voice.

“We fear the entire Royal Family is in mortal danger. Caralon has suffered from repeated raids, towns burned to the ground, as our men are sent chasing phantom attackers to no avail,” Lieutenant Fieger explained quietly.

“Lieutenant Fieger speaks the truth, Prince Donovan,” General Derrin commented.

General Derrin looked Donovan squarely in the eyes. “As we speak, our country is gripped by panic. I fear the king is under an evil spell, cast upon him by the stranger. Our people fear a dark enemy is gathering strength and believe war quickly approaches.”

“What do you propose, General Derrin? Kandalare will help in any way possible. Send word of what is needed, and Etmindor will answer, treaty or no treaty. I swear this,” Donovan said. He offered his hand, and General Derrin reached out and shook it warmly, staring into the prince’s eyes and nodded.

“The continued safety of the Royal Family is paramount; when the time is right, I will send word. Princess Morgan must be taken as far from Etria as possible, as I fear for her life. As for King Aramus, he isn’t in his right mind, and we may not be able to save him,” General Derrin explained carefully.

Donovan saw and heard. He knew within this man dwelt strength, honesty, and above all, loyalty to king and country. The prince wanted to stay and help, but General Derrin was right, the time was not right for such a move, so he nodded in agreement.

“If war approaches before it is possible to save the Royal Family, the Caralonian army will fight at your side. I ask you to stand fast to the oaths we swore in the past, to aid each other in their hour of need,” General Derrin stated and released Donovan’s hand. With those parting words, the prince led his men across the West Bridge onto the road leading back to Kandalare.