Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 11

Marcus lay in his bed waiting for Joselyn. She should have been there by now. He wanted to smooth things over with Joselyn, and she said she would be back. She must have changed her mind after she thought about what he said. Marcus was infuriated with himself. How could he have been so stupid. She may not want to talk to him ever again. What was he going to do. It would make sense if she didn’t want to talk to him. He wouldn’t reveal his true identity and he gave her an “order”. Maybe she would visit him in the morning. It was possible she was needed on an urgent matter. This was what Marcus told himself as he sat alone in his chamber.

Joselyn went straight to her chamber, but not before thinking about going to Marcus’s. She stopped outside his door and was tempted to knock, but she reminded herself of Rowans words. He still would not tell her who he was, and he should be healed up by now. There were too many unknowns with Marcus. She resisted the urge to knock and went to her chambers. She needed to choose her outfit and rehearse when she asked her allies to go to war.

Joselyn arose early the next morning. She wanted to be properly dressed, ready and waiting when the Kings arrived. Joselyn didn’t go to Marcus’s chambers again this morning. She wanted to badly, but she forced herself to maintain her proprieties. It was hard for her to concentrate, thoughts of Marcus continued to creep into her mind. She wondered what he was thinking. He must be wondering why she didn’t go to his chambers yesterday evening or this morning. Joselyn had to force herself to keep her priorities straight; Marcus was a distraction that she didn’t need.

Marcus wasn’t in his bed anymore. He had been well for several weeks, however he pretended to be sick so he could spend more time with Joselyn. Now, he was pacing the floor back and forth wondering why Joselyn didn’t come to his chambers yesterday or this morning. There was a knock on the door and Marcus ran into his bed. “Enter” he yelled. He was so excited thinking it was Joselyn, but his excitement left as quickly as it came when he saw a maid walk in. “Where is Queen Joselyn?” Marcus asked. “There are matters that require her immediate attention.” The Maid said. Marcus felt a small bit of relief. That was why she didn’t come yesterday or this morning. He was right. She had pressing matters within her Kingdom. Marcus didn’t bother questioning the maid any further. He would just wait until she came back to his chambers after she was finished with the pressing matters at hand.

Joselyn sat in her chambers giving herself a once over in the mirror when a maid walked in to announce the Kings had arrived. Joselyn swiftly moved from her chair and out the door. As she reached the large entrance of the castle she saw Leon, Henry, and Aaron already laughing and making jokes at each other’s expense. They saw Joselyn and threw their hands up in a welcoming manner. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes” King Leon said as he walked in for a big hug. “I’m so glad all of you could make it.” Joselyn replied. “I’ve known you long enough to know we aren’t here for just a ball, especially since we are here a day early.” King Leon said to Joselyn as his eyes pierced hers. “Well, you are correct. I would like to speak to all of you in private.” Joselyn said. “My goodness we just walked thru the door for a ball and now we are down to business,” laughed Henry. Joselyn replied, “I have your chambers ready for you and your Queens. Why don’t you freshen up and rest for dinner.” “Now that sounds more to my liking” Aaron said. Joselyn had the Kings and their Queens escorted to their chambers as she prepared for the serious conversation she needed to have later.

Marcus didn’t know what was so pressing that Joselyn was kept away yesterday and today. It was almost dinner time, and a maid brought his food. When the maid brought his food, he knew Joselyn wouldn’t be accompanying him. He really messed up this time. One stupid sentence ruined his chances of getting Joselyn to fall in love with him. Marcus never cared for any woman, and when he found one he did care for, he ruined any chance he had to be with her. He had to make this right. Marcus looked at his dinner and the empty place on his bed where Joselyn would sit. Somehow, he would make this right.

Joselyn, the Kings, and their Queens all sat at the dinner table laughing and eating. Joselyn let the Kings do most of the talking as they were just reminiscing about old times. Joselyn listened and laughed at their jokes. She knew after dinner she would have to ask them to speak in private without their Queens. She didn’t like dismissing their Queens, but they wouldn’t speak about matters of war anyway. They were brought up to stay silent and listen. It was very annoying, but she felt sorry for them at the same time. After dinner wrapped up, Joselyn proceeded to say. “Leon, Henry, Aaron I need to speak with you in private. There is a serious matter I need to discuss with you.” King Leon sighed and said, “Lead the way.” As the Kings followed Joselyn to a meeting room, their Queens silently rose and went to the castle gardens. Joselyn slowly shook her head and proceeded into a modest room that had a comfortable feel to it and sat at a table which the other kings reciprocated. King Henry said, “What is all this about? We have known you for quite some time and your demeanor says this is not a small issue at all. You have brought us here to speak secretly. Please tell us what is going on.” Joselyn looked at Leon, Henry, and Aaron then stated, “The King of Doran wants to take my Kingdom. He has already made an attempt on my life, and I believe he is gathering his allies together. I want you to go to war with me. I don’t care which of you gets His Kingdom because I don’t want it. I just want him dead.” All three men were silent for a moment then Henry spoke, “War isn’t a small thing Joselyn. We don’t even know who his allies are.” Joselyn responded, “I know war isn’t a small thing, and I wish to avoid it at all costs. However, there is no avoiding it now. He tried to have me killed and he wants to take my Kingdom. We have the strongest armies in all the Kingdoms. It would not be hard for us to overthrow him, even with his allies.” Joselyn waited for a response when Aaron said, “Well, if he is bold enough to try and overthrow your Kingdom, it wouldn’t take him long to come after ours. My Kingdom will go to war with you.” Joselyn felt a sigh of relief when Henry said, “Aaron is right. If he takes down your Kingdom ours will be next. My Kingdom will also go to war with you.” The last to decide was King Leon. Joselyn looked at him waiting for a response, but he had his head lowered and his eyes looked as if they were somewhere else. “King Leon, what is your decision?” Joselyn asked. “Oh, I apologize. My thoughts were somewhere else. Of course my Kingdom will go to war with you. You have always protected my Kingdom and now I will help protect yours.” Leon said. Joselyn was relieved all three of her allies agreed to war, but she couldn’t help noticing King Leon. He put on a happy face and laughed, but she could tell something was wrong. “King Leon, what is bothering you?” Joselyn asked. “Nothing gets by you does it Joselyn?” King Leon continued, “My son has been missing for three months. I have had all my guards looking for him night and day, but to no avail. He is a stubborn boy and would always ride off somewhere when we had a disagreement. This time he didn’t come back.” “It must have been some disagreement” King Henry said. Leon continued, “Well, not really. I wanted him to marry a princess which he refused to do. It’s quite normal for him. I want him to marry, he says no, we both get angry, and he takes off on his horse to calm himself down. This time however, he never returned. I don’t know if he is dead or alive. Marcus has always been stubborn and strong willed, but he has never gone to this extent.” Joselyn stiffened at the name Marcus. Surely Marcus was not the son of King Leon; there were plenty of men named Marcus. “What does he look like” Joselyn asked. “Well, he is tall, blonde hair, green eyes. He has my good looks and his mother’s temper. He…” “Come with me King Leon,” Joselyn interrupted him. Leon wasn’t sure why she interjected so quickly and wanted him to follow her, “What is this about?” King Leon asked with a sternness in his voice. Joselyn walked beside him as she said, “I told you the King of Doran made an attempt on my life.” “Yes you did, but what does that have to do with you interrupting me and us walking around your castle.” King Leon asked. “Well, I didn’t think it was important until just now. There was a man who saved my life. He was wounded badly, but I was able to mend his wounds. He wouldn’t tell me anything about himself except his name was Marcus.” King Leon’s eyes grew wide and he sped up his steps. “Where is he?” Leon asked. “He is in one of the royal chambers. That is where we are going.” “My goodness woman speed up. That might be my son.” Leon demanded with hope in his voice. Joselyn and Leon were practically running toward Marcus’s chambers. When they reached the door, King Leon didn’t bother knocking. He threw the doors wide open and walked in. There stood Marcus looking out the window. “Marcus” King Leon yelled overjoyed. “Father” Marcus yelled back as they ran to each other in an embrace. Joselyn gave a quick look at Marcus before closing his chamber door.