A New Era: Kalparainia Chronicles Book One

Chapter Nine

Alyse,

If you get this, I can say that I'll be surprised. I don't know how close you are to Xander Shade, but I will tell you that one of my armies has already claimed Heartstone while most of the men were facing off against the main bulk of my army. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was for my men to take over, though disappointed when I discovered from your father that he had you marry sooner than they had originally planned. I will be kind enough to give your father over to you if you meet with me. All I want to do is have a word with you. A friend to a friend, after that you are free to leave with your father. And please, tell your sister that I am deeply sorry for the loss of her husband. War is a messy business.

Sincerely, Damien Rysse, King of Dragoon and Heartstone

"Alyse, are you okay?" Ingrid frowned as she stepped towards me.

"I have to show this to Williem," a lump formed in my throat. How long has Damien had ahold of Heartstone and not a word about it was sent out. I looked over at Jillian, "Please, help Ingrid with whatever she needs help with."

"Of course, my Queen," Jillian curtsied and turned to help Ingrid as I had directed.

Williem was easy to find, he was walking down the hall, barking orders at Princess Veronica's handmaidens on what they needed to do to ensure their princess was comfortable during her time of loss. He was lost in his own world, that he didn't seem to notice that Sora was following behind him, her three tails were flicking wildly behind her. I stopped and took another look at Sora. Three tails? Didn't she only have two when she had left?

"Your Grace, please inform your Shadow that I'm about ready to stab a knife into her if she doesn't stop stalking me," Williem stated while pointing one of the men rushing through in the direction he needed to go. I was surprised that he knew that Sora was there.

"You heard him, Sora," I cleared my throat, and Williem turned to me. "This came for me...Jillian had just delivered it to me a few minutes ago. I don't even know if it's true."

Williem took the letter out of my hands and read through it quickly. When he was done, he closed his eyes, "We'll have to send scouts to see if what he says is true."

What will I do if he really did take over Heartstone? Do I even want my father back from him? I shifted uncomfortably.

"I'll go," Sora offered from behind Williem, this time making him jump. "In and out. I won't stick around this time."

"Please do," Williem nodded. When Sora vanished out of sight, he turned back to me. "Scouts are a thing of the past with her around."

I smiled a little bit, "If it comes out that it's true...then what?"

"Then we'll work from there, my Queen," Williem sighed. "There's no knowing what Damien Rysse will do to your father if you do not meet with him as he had requested. If he's taken Heartstone, then the army that's fighting against him are now risking the lives of their families."

Sora reappeared so quickly that both Williem and I jumped back in shock. She shook her head making her platinum white hair sway behind her, "It's taken over, my Queen. The Dragoon banners are all over the place in Heartstone."

Williem frowned, "Very well. You should let your sister and her mother know about this. I'll go get a carriage ready."

"We're going with you as well," Jamison stated.

With my Royal Guard being so quiet, I had nearly forgotten about them. Wow, that's so kind of me. They're people as well...they have feelings...and from what I've gathered, all eight are very good men. I nodded, though and turned to look at them all, "Well, I can't really leave without the eight of you anyways."

"You're right, my Queen," Arthur bowed. "We would follow you even if you ordered us to stay. Your safety is our job."

"Way to suck up to the boss, Arthur," Erik rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Queen Alyse already knows what our job is. She hasn't been left alone for over a week."

"Yeah, are you insinuating that our Queen doesn't know what our job is?" Maurice joined in.

"Oh, I'd like to know this as well," Jamison raised an eyebrow at Arthur.

I could tell that they were all joking around, this was the second time they'd sent jabs at each other like this in front of me, and the last time they had all ended up laughing so hard that Nikolas nearly fell down a flight of stairs. It was clear that they were friends and it made me hold onto hope that I could find a true friend like that. I held onto hope that Ingrid would be that friend.

"Enough, we have things to do," Williem cut into the Royal Guard fun. "Your Grace, I will meet you down in the courtyard with a carriage ready."

"Thank you, Williem," I nodded.

As he went one direction, I went towards the parlor, where I had last seen Charlotte and Celeste. I was surprised to see that Ingrid was in there as well, with Jillian standing right outside the door. Sora, I already know they're going to demand to come with. Please go tell Williem to get another carriage ready. I didn't even have to look back to know that Sora had done as I had asked immediately. I cleared my throat, drawing the attention of the three women to myself. I could only assume that Veronica was still in her bed chambers mourning the loss of her brother, while Celeste went on like nothing had ever happened...

"Heartstone had been invaded," I looked at Charlotte as I spoke.

She let out a laugh and threw her head back, "You really expect us to believe that?"

"Father surrendered to the Dragoon army. Heartstone is occupied by Damien Rysse," I told them. "I was asked to go speak to Damien Rysse about releasing Father into my custody."

Charlotte sobered, Celeste's eyes widened as this news hit her, and Ingrid watched their reactions while slowly moving towards me. If Heartstone was no longer under the rule of the Thane family...then what did that make them? If Dean Thane was no longer a King... did that mean that Charlotte was no longer a Queen?

"You're going to ensure he's released, aren't you?" Charlotte demanded.

"Of course she is," Celeste looked at me. "This whole war started because she danced with Damien Rysse at my wedding." Ingrid gave Celeste a look of disbelief. "Had I known that the King of Dragoon had somehow fallen for Alyse, I would have never gone through the trouble to get her to marry Xander. Now my husband is dead, my father is held captive, and my home is gone... all because Alyse decided it was okay to dance at my wedding."

"Excuse me?" Ingrid snapped. "Do you have any idea what you're saying right now?"

"I'm saying that none of this would have happened if Alyse would have just stayed on the sidelines like she always does," Celeste growled out. "She's always gotten in the way of things! She's always been so selfish!"

Tears stung my eyes as I opened my mouth to speak, but Ingrid got to it before I could, "You do realize that she's been nice enough not to call you out on your act? Everyone in the castle knows that you haven't shed one tear for King Markus, everyone knows that you're more upset about losing your status as Queen rather than losing your husband, and the only reason not one person has said anything is out of the respect our Queen holds for you. She's made one friend outside of the castle walls, and the minute I came here, you tried to snatch me away. If you are going to stay in Kyrain for your safety, you will respect our Queen. If you cannot, I will write a letter to my King to tell him how you've been treating his wife." Ingrid turned and looked at me, "They are not going with you. I will stay here to ensure that they don't try anything while you're away, and I will make sure to keep doing the plans for Court. If they keep up their attitudes, it is my advise for you not to allow them into this season of Court."

"Thank you, Ingrid," I choked out.

"Anytime," Ingrid smiled softly. "Now go, so you can get this over with."

Jillian followed close behind me. I had expected to be treated like that by Charlotte, but when it was Celeste that made me feel horrible rather than the woman I thought was my mother... well, it was like a stab to the chest. Did everyone blame me for the war? I couldn't help but wonder. Was that why Xander had seemed so distant before? I was fighting with my tears as I made it to the courtyard. Williem had gotten the second carriage ready, but it was just Jillian and me that was going.

"I'm sorry for having you do that," my voice cracked under the pressure of my emotions.

"We should probably bring the carriage, so your father has a ride as well-incase you don't want to ride with him," Williem suggested.

"That's a good idea," I nodded my agreement as he helped me up into the carriage. He was kind enough to help Jillian in as well before he climbed in after us, carrying Sora. "So, I believe that you sending your Shadow to the battlefield has made her more powerful. At least ten times of what she was before."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"The new tail," Williem stated. "I recall reading that the more tails a kitsune has, the more powerful they are. She had only two tails before."

"Oh, he is an observant one," Sora lifted her head. "He has nothing to fear from me as long as he is loyal to you."

"You're right about her being more powerful," I nodded.

"We need to be careful about that, my Queen. It was the power of the Kitsune that brought forth their doom," Williem stated. "I do not doubt her loyalty to you, but others may doubt your own loyalty to the King."

"Oh, watch this!" Sora's little fox face scrunched up, and two of her bushy tails merged with the third until there was only one tail.

Williem coughed and looked back at me, "Well... I guess she's already figured out a way around this. Still, be careful, my Queen."

"I will," I nodded. As something dawned on me, I looked at Williem, "How will Damien know that I'm coming? I don't even know where to meet him at."

"Well..." Williem glanced over at Sora. "We could always send a quick message to the King of Dragoon. That's if you want to, my Queen, or we can wait for him to send another message."

I nodded and looked at Sora, "Will you go find Damien and ask him where he would like me to meet him?"

"Of course," Sora agreed. "Is there anything else, my Queen?"

"I want to know if my father is still alive," I stated.

"As you wish," Sora stood and bowed her little fox body before she just vanished.

"That is something that I will never get used to," Williem sighed.

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We had stopped for the evening to rest. Maurice, Nikolas, Erik, and Arthur had gone out to hunt for some food, while Jamison, Theodor, Oliver, and Hayden stood guard over me. Jillian got the fire started, and Williem was talking to the drivers of the carriages about what we were going to do. I was surprised that Sora hadn't returned yet...it had been several hours, so I was trying not to worry. I hope that something hasn't happened to her.

Just as the thought came out of my head, Sora appeared beside me in her human form with an envelope in her hand. She let out a long sigh, "Your father is unharmed. His pride is wounded, but he's okay... The King of Dragoon sure likes to hear himself talk, though."

"Thank you for going," I offered her a smile as she handed the envelope to me. I took a deep breath as I prepared for what it said.

Alyse,

You continue to surprise me. Who would have ever thought that you'd befriend a creature like a kitsune? I'm impressed but hope you're exercising caution when it comes to trusting such a beast. Onto business, your little pet saw that your father is unharmed. I will meet you at the border of Kyrain and Heartstone ten miles north of the inn. Your brother Byron will also be meeting us there for this little chat. Your father's army is no longer fighting in the battles against my men out of fear for your father's life. I will see you soon, and we can talk in person.

Sincerely, Damien Rysse, King of Dragoon and Heartstone

I swallowed and handed the letter over to Williem. He shook his head and handed me a box, "I wanted to ensure you had protection, my Queen."

"What is it?" I frowned.

"The dagger that Princess Veronica gave to you," Williem said. "That way you have something in case he tries something."

"Isn't that what the Royal Guard is for?" I asked.

"It's a precaution, my Queen," Williem said gently. "Please, do this old man a favor and humor me."

"Alright," I nodded and looked down at the box in my hands.

I doubted that Damien would want to hurt me, but it was smart to be ready for anything. What if Damien wanted to take me as a captive in turn for my father? Was that something I was willing to do? Before everything about my birth mother came to light...yes I would have done that without blinking, but now...now I didn't know. This was going to be a long trip...

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Without stopping much, we made it to the meeting spot in seven days rather than eight. I was exhausted, my back popped uncomfortably as I got out of the carriage. Williem seemed to be alert-as did Jillian, Sora, and my Royal Guard, but I felt as though I hadn't gotten a good amount of sleep since we had left Kyrain. I should have sent word to Xander about all of this, but if he arrived at this meeting...my father would be killed for sure, and that wasn't something that I could live with.

I was surprised to see that there was a table set up on the point of where the borders met, and Damien was already sitting there with a smile on his face when he saw me. His grey eyes danced happily and he leaned back in his chair as I sat across from him.

"It's good to see you again, Alyse," Damien held his hand up to stop any of my entourage from getting any closer. "I wish it were under better circumstances that we were having this friendly little chat. Your brother should be here shortly."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Everything," he chuckled as he winked at me, "but for now, I'll settle with my small win of Heartstone."

I was slightly shocked that he decided to use my own line from our dance on me during this meeting. It was a bit cruel that he would do that, especially while he was holding my father as a hostage to get me to talk to him. I couldn't understand why he would do that...

"I meant what do you want right now," I kept my eyes on him.

His smile widened, "My spies have told me how you've been doing as Queen so far. I'm impressed. You listen to the details given to you by your Stewart so well, that you'd think that Kyrain didn't have a King."

"You have spies in Kyrain?" I frowned.

"I have spies everywhere, Alyse," Damien waved his hand and one of his men brought my father forward, who couldn't speak due to the gag in his mouth. "I am a man of my word. I brought your father to you for meeting with me." He reached down to grab something and tossed it onto the table, "Now we're just waiting on Byron Thane."

"What did you hope to gain by invading Heartstone?" I asked.

"I was hoping that you would be there, but I had to be happy with adding Heartstone onto Dragoon," Damien chuckled.

I couldn't get myself to smile back at Damien, even if I tried. Sure, I had wanted to marry him less than a month ago, but...things were different now. I was married, I was treated with respect, and I was actually making a friend. If given the chance, I was sure that I could fall in love with my husband. Once he was told that I was going to marry someone else, Damien should have just found someone who could marry him. The sound of men marching, stopped my train of thought and Byron came riding forward.

When he got close enough, Damien stood and walked towards him. My stomach turned and I found myself moving forward quickly. I gave Byron a tight hug when I reached him. Byron didn't hug me in return, instead he shrugged me off and threw his sword onto the ground, while our father was trying to shout something through the gag. I saw Damien pull something out from behind him.

"NO!" I shouted before I realized what I was doing. I put myself between Damien and my brother and felt something go into my gut. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Damien and his own eyes were filled with a surprised anger. I could hear angry shouts and swords being drawn as Damien held onto me and laid me into the grass beneath me.