Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 15

Marcus and Rowan were at the stables waiting for Joselyn the next morning. Rowan had already saddled up her horse so as not to waste time. He was eager to get to town and visit the brothel. Joselyn walked into the stables and before a word was spoken she climbed on her horse. She then said, “Good morning gentlemen, shall we be on our way?” Rowan waved a hand in the air signaling for the other guards to take their places around Joselyn and Marcus as they started their ride into town. There was an awkward silence between Joselyn and Marcus. He knew the way he spoke about Rowan last night was out of line. Joselyn didn’t seem angry as they rode, however the lack of conversation wasn’t doing him any favors. Marcus mustered up the courage to address the issue and said, “Joselyn, I hope you will not look on me differently by the content of my questioning regarding Rowan. In my Kingdom we treat our servants and guards very well and make sure they are taken care of. However, I have never sat down to a meal with one.” Joselyn listened to Marcus talk and she smiled a bit. She could tell from his explanation he didn’t spend much time with his father, King Leon. “Marcus, I don’t look at you differently. I do however look at you as a Prince who has much to learn about becoming a King.” Marcus looked puzzled and said, “I don’t understand Joselyn.” She smiled at him and gave him the explanation he was looking for. “I have known King Leon all my life and I have dined with him at his castle.” Before she could continue Marcus interrupted, “You have been to my Kingdom as a guest of my Father?” Joselyn looked at Marcus then continued, “Yes. A couple of times in fact. You were always gone riding or having some type of disagreement with King Leon which is why we never met. If you hadn’t been acting like a child you would have dined with us, as well as your mother’s ladies maid, your father’s blacksmith, and Rowan.” Joselyn tried to read Marcus’s face for any type of emotion. All she could see was confusion. “Marcus, King Leon’s best friend is his blacksmith. Your mother’s best friend is her lady’s maid. Would you sneer your best friend because they worked for you?” Marcus still had a confused look on his face, but he responded to Joselyn’s question. “You know more about my parents than I do. My father and I haven’t eaten at the same table in years. I automatically assumed he didn’t dine with servants.” Marcus sat quiet for a moment then continued, “Is that why you said you look up to my father and hoped to be more like him?” Joselyn looked at Marcus and said, “That is a big reason, yes. I admire King Leon for treating his servants like people. He doesn’t place himself above anyone, and neither do I. King Leon once said to me, “Joselyn, the foundation of a Kingdom is its people, and without them the only one left is you, not a Kingdom. I try my best to adhere to that philosophy.” Joselyn could clearly read Marcus’s face now. It was a mixture of everything going through his head. Marcus was shocked that King Leon dined with commoners, surprised his father was so much like Joselyn, and ashamed that he didn’t know. “I don’t know what to say” Marcus began. “You know more about what goes on in my kingdom than I do. You’re right, I have done nothing except act like a child.” Joselyn respected Marcus for admitting his faults, not many men would do that. “Well Marcus, you now have the knowledge, it is up to you to decide what to do with it.” Marcus looked at Joselyn and smiled at her with a new found admiration and respect. He could never be the ruler she or her father is. As if reading his thoughts Joselyn said, “Don’t worry Marcus. A good King rules with his heart and his head. You have a good heart and you are smart. You will be a good King.” Marcus smiled gratefully at Joselyn as the village entered view.

Joselyn and Marcus trotted next to each other with Rowan and his guards surrounding them. As they slowly rode through the village Rowan began clearing his throat. Joselyn knew he was trying to indicate the brothel was across the street to the left. Joselyn laughed and said “You and your guards go ahead Rowan, take your time.” Rowan gave Joselyn a hurried thank you as he and his three guards rushed into the brothel. Joselyn dismounted her horse and led it by the reigns as she walked. Marcus followed Joselyn’s actions and walked next to her. Marcus chose to watch Joselyn instead of trying to make conversation. He wanted to see the way Joselyn interacted with her people. Joselyn walked from stand to stand talking with each person. She talked to commoners as she would talk to nobility. Marcus was taking all this in. He realized why she had such a strong Kingdom. Her people loved her because she loved them. Marcus was watching Joselyn interact with her people when a loud noise caught their attention. They both looked across the street to find a large man wrecking one of the villagers stands. Joselyn immediately walked over to the stand and said, “What is the meaning of this?” The villager who owned the fruit stand bowed to Joselyn. “She looked at him and again asked, Joseph, what is the meaning of this?” Marcus didn’t realize she also knew many of her people’s names as well. “This is none of your business woman. It soon will be, but I must finish with him first,” said the man that Joselyn didn’t recognize. Joseph looked at her and said, “My Queen, this man came here this morning threatening each of us. He wants us to pay him a portion of our profits or he and his friends will continue to destroy our stands. We won’t be able to feed our families without selling anything.” Joselyn listened to Joseph as her anger continued to grow. “Who are you, and where are your friends?” Joselyn asked. The large man laughed at Joselyn and said, “So you are the Queen. You are one woman out here with no guards, that doesn’t sound like any Queen to me.” As he said this he returned to Joseph’s son who was hiding behind him. He grabbed the small child from behind his father and slapped him hard across the face. “Listen to me, you nor your family will be safe unless I am paid.” Joselyn lost all restraint. She grabbed her sword and with one swift swing chopped the strangers hand off. He let out a loud scream and hit the ground. Three men Joselyn didn’t recognize came running with their swords drawn. Joselyn pulled her other sword while Marcus stood beside her and pulled his. These men immediately began swinging their weapons. The fight didn’t last long, Marcus killed two men while Joselyn killed one. She then turned to the man dropped on the ground. “Stand up” she commanded. The man struggled to rise to his feet. Once he was standing, Joselyn immediately slit his throat. She then turned and addressed the village, “All of you know me and I you. If anyone comes into this village threatening you and your families, causing harm, or anything that is not tolerated in this Kingdom come to me immediately and it will be taken care of. I promise to keep you safe, but I must be notified of what’s happening.” Joselyn looked around the village trying to read her people’s face. She could see relief and tears of gratefulness in their eyes. “Are there any men willing to take these bodies out of the village to be buried?” Several men came forward and began to collect the dead men while Joselyn continued, “Has anyone suffered monetary loss due to these men today?” A couple of people came forward and Joselyn took the money bag from the large man she had killed and gave their money back. “I can see many of your stands have been destroyed and you will have to spend time repairing them. Tonight you will have a feast from the castle. I want you to forget your worries and enjoy yourselves. I will have it delivered quickly. Remember what I said, if there is trouble here come to me. I will protect you.” Joselyn got on her horse and turned toward the castle with loud clapping and cheering behind her. Marcus was riding along her and he could see why her people loved her. He could also see why they looked to her to lead. She slit a man’s throat and killed another because they were bullying her people. Marcus killed two men as well, but he wasn’t going to let her fight alone. Joselyn stopped outside the brothel where Rowan had just walked out. Rowan could see her face and immediately said, “Something happened didn’t it? Why are you always put in harms way when I am having a good time?” Joselyn looked at him and said, “I can assure you Rowan it was nothing that Marcus and I were not able to handle. I am going to ride fast back to the castle and have a feast sent back to the village, the people have had a distressing day.” Rowan said, “Let me get the other guards and we will go.” Joselyn immediately said, “Don’t bother them. They will just be coming right back. I suspect you will be coming back this evening for the feast as well.” Rowan said, “Of course not, my job is to protect you my Queen. I will be where you are.” Joselyn said, “Good, because I will be back for the feast with my people this evening.” Rowan smiled and said, “Well let’s hurry and get this food back.” Joselyn laughed as she, Rowan, and Marcus rode hard for the castle.

Joselyn, Marcus, and Rowan arrived at the castle and Joselyn gave orders to every cook and maid in the castle. The cooks were told to immediately begin preparing the food and the maids were told they would help take all the food to the village. Joselyn was sure to include the invitation of her castle staff. As Joselyn was giving orders to castle staff, Rowan was giving orders to his guards. He ensured the castle was protected as well as the Queen. Rowan knew he would need more than 3 guards to accompany them. He chose to take fifty guards and still felt that would not be enough. The Queen would be exposed, however she would still be in the Kingdom. While the castle staff hurried to prepare the food, Marcus found his opportunity to talk to Joselyn. He walked up beside her and cleared his throat, “I understand why your people care for you so much. You are a fierce yet sympathetic Queen.” Joselyn smiled, “I should thank you Marcus, you came to my aid once again. I am making a habit of putting myself into terrible situations you rescue me from.” Marcus saw a vulnerable side of Joselyn he hadn’t seen before. He took the palm of her hand and raised it to his lips. He placed a tender kiss in the middle of her palm and said, “If you allow it, I will always be by your side. I also enjoy coming to your rescue.” Joselyn knew what he was inadvertently asking. He wanted her hand in marriage. Marcus was trying to gage how she felt about it. Joselyn knew she had strong feelings for Marcus, but she didn’t want him to know yet. Marcus leaned in to Joselyn and spoke softly in her ear, “This isn’t a proposal, and it isn’t a way to see how you feel about me.” His lips swept softly across her ear as he continued, “I simply want to be by your side, and I already know you have feelings for me.” Marcus pulled back with a smug and gratifying grin on his face. He knew she would take his advance as a proposal, and he loved watching Joselyn get rattled and without a loss for words. He wanted her for himself, and he had told her as much. He knew however, she wouldn’t accept a proposal right now. Joselyn couldn’t believe he refuted everything she was thinking, except for the fact she had feelings for him. She looked at him with a confused face and Marcus couldn’t help but laugh. “Why did you ask if you could always stay by my side if you were not proposing?” Joselyn asked still confused. Marcus couldn’t help but laugh again at the expression on her face, “I do want to be by your side, but I also know you’re not ready for marriage yet.” Marcus kissed the top of Joselyn’s hand and he turned to walk away. He turned his head over his shoulder and with a wink said, “I also know you have feelings for me.” He turned his head confidently and continued to walk away. Joselyn was once again left speechless, she just watched him walk.