Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 20

Joselyn entered the room ahead of the other men. She took off the top piece of her gown to reach her knives. Marcus found himself with jealousy at the thought of other men seeing her with barely any garments to cover her body. He reminded himself this was how she looked when she saved his life, and he was not going to try and change her in any way. “Alright men, what are the wagers” Aaron asked… then he had a thought. “Why don’t we play on teams. We have enough people for a three on three. However, Rowan must be on one team and Joselyn on the other. That is only fair seeing as they are the two best knife throwers.” The men started talking about what the wagers would be when Joselyn chimed in, “I think that’s a wonderful idea Aaron. I will take Leon and Marcus for my team. You can have Rowan and Henry.” Rowan dropped his head as Leon smiled. Joselyn chose the two men who could actually handle a knife. “What are the stakes?” Aaron asked the group. “I know, Henry chimed in.” “If we win, each of us gets one of your swords. Leon and Marcus has one, but we don’t. That will make us even.” Rowan just stood with his hand to his forehead and Leon shook his head. “Henry, those were given as gifts for the saving of my life. Your team will not receive one. We can wager for money as always, however the wager will be for a larger sum of money.” After agreeing to the wager, each man and Joselyn placed their money in a bowl. “Ok Joselyn, prepare to finally lose.” Aaron was against Marcus. Aaron couldn’t throw a blade very well and Marcus’s knife hit dead center of the target. Henry hit the target close to the center, but Leon hit center target. The last to go against each other were Rowan and Joselyn. They both smiled at each other because they knew they were about the same with a knife. Rowan took his place in front of the target with Aaron and Henry cheering him on. He hit the target dead center. He turned and smiled at Joselyn with a satisfied look on his face. He removed his knife so Joselyn could throw. She also hit dead center of the target. Once again, Rowan stepped up to the target and hit the target in the middle. Joselyn realized this would go on all night so she pulled a knife that she hadn’t used before from beneath her gown and instructed Rowan to leave his knife in the target. She pulled her hand back and flicked the knife as hard as she could. The knife hit Rowan’s blade and split the handle. Each man was shocked that she had such a blade, the idea of it seemed almost impossible. “Gentlemen, I believe my team has won.” Joselyn said as she gave a sarcastic curtsy. Marcus picked her up and swung her around while Aaron and Henry blamed one another for their loss. Joselyn couldn’t help but laugh at both of them. “Okay men, you can continue your games, but I am retiring for the night.” They all bid her goodnight as Marcus walked her to her room before continuing with games. “What kind of knife is that?” Marcus asked when they were out of earshot of the others. “It’s something I’ve been working on. That’s the only one I have.” She brought it out from under her gown and gave it to him to examine. “It looks like one of your regular knives in a way, but it has some small differences.” He gave the knife back to her, “Always keep this close to you Joselyn. I know your knives are wanted by everyone, but this one someone would try to kill you for. I wish you hadn’t shown it tonight.” Joselyn sighed, “I just wanted the game to be over and that was the only way.” “Joselyn, you could have just forfeited” to which she responded, “Never.” “Well, please try to be more aware of things like this. People already want to kill you for your kingdom, you don’t want to give them any more reasons.” They had arrived at her room when Marcus had finished speaking. Joselyn was almost giddy that he felt so strongly for her. “Marcus, this is our kingdom. People are going to try and kill us both.” She smiled as she gave him a kiss on the cheek then turned and went into her room. He smiled and blushed a little. “That woman has me wrapped around her finger” he said out loud as he walked back to the game room grinning.

When Marcus entered the game room he found Rowan and Leon having casual conversation while Henry and Aaron were still pointing fingers at each other for the loss. After entering Henry loudly said, “Well, if it isn’t the man who stole the ice queen’s heart. I believe we would love to know how you did it. I thought for sure the King of Arcadia would eventually wed her, but I was mistaken.” Marcus never liked King Henry. He was loud and always wanted to be the center of attention. “Yes, you were mistaken. As for how Joselyn and I came to fall in love is none of your business.” Marcus replied curtly. Leon quickly joined the conversation, “Don’t read anything into his impoliteness, those are words of a poor upbringing from me and a young man in love.” He said with a laugh as he put a firm hand on Marcus’s shoulder and squeezed. Henry wasn’t happy with the disrespect he received, but he took the apology from Leon on behalf of his son. The atmosphere had grown tense when Aaron said, “We don’t want to upset you Marcus, far from it. Honestly, we never thought Joselyn would marry. She has had many Princes and Kings try for her hand, and she turned them down. Then she chose you, and we are overjoyed that she not only chose to marry, but she is marrying the son of King Leon. I believe a congratulatory toast is in order. To Prince Marcus, the only man for Queen Joselyn.” Each man held up their cups and toasted. After the congratulatory toast Leon placed his hand back on Marcus’s shoulder and walked him over to a couple of chairs in a corner of the room. They both took a seat and Marcus waited for Leon to get comfortable. He knew his father wanted to have a private conversation out of earshot from the other men. After Leon finally found a comfortable position he said, “Marcus, you are my son and I love you, but if you are going to marry Joselyn you have to be more aware of what you are saying.” Marcus knew he was talking about his soured words to Henry. “Listen to me son, if I had not intervened, Joselyn could have lost an ally tonight. We are on the brink of war and you are upsetting the men who are trying to help her.” Marcus huffed, “I can’t stand that man, and my and Joselyn’s relationship and how it came to be is none of anybody’s business.” Leon put his face in his hands and shook his head, “Son, Joselyn does things she doesn’t care for to appease her allies. You know how much she cares for her people, but did you see any commoners at the ball? No you didn’t because Henry and Aaron won’t associate socially with them. She did this because she needed their help. Now you must start thinking like a King before you take her allies and make them enemies.” Marcus let out a long sigh, “You’re right. I let my temper get the better of me and I could have cost Joselyn an ally within days of a war. That would have cost me Joselyn. I will try harder father.” Leon placed his hand on Marcus’s knee, “If you would have come to court with me instead of running away all the time you would have learned these things.” They both laughed in agreement. “Alright son, I’m going to bed and you are too. I won’t leave your smart aleck mouth with Henry and Aaron.” Marcus nodded and they both got up to leave for the night. Leon said goodnight for both of them and they walked to their chambers.

The following morning Aaron, Henry, Leon, and Marcus were sitting at the breakfast table waiting on Joselyn. It was still early, so they made small talk while waiting. Up in her room Jocelyn was getting dressed. She was almost finished and ready to go downstairs when there was a knock on the door; she automatically assumed it was Marcus. When Jocelyn opened the door she found Rowan standing with a piece of paper in his hand and a worried look on his face. “Come in” she said “What's going on?” “Jocelyn a messenger brought this to me… the King of Dorne’s army will be here by nightfall.” “I don't understand,” Jocelyn said “they shouldn't be here for another two to three days.” Rowan shook his head, “I know that’s what we were told. I sent out a scout a couple of days ago, and he just returned with the news. The messenger who told us the army was days out apparently worked for the King of Doran, he is a spy. We would have been caught off guard and not ready for a fight.” Joselyn felt her stomach fall. The King of Doran could have taken over her Kingdom due to the element of surprise. “Where is this messenger?” asked Joselyn. “We are currently interrogating him in the dungeons.” Joselyn took off her top layer of clothing leaving her in her gown. She walked over to her closet and pulled her gown with the blue and white colors of her kingdom. Rowan automatically turned around as she changed. “Rowan, we don’t have time for an interrogation.” She said as she strapped on her knives. “Get the prisoner and take him to the breakfast hall.” Rowan nodded as he went out the door. Joselyn placed all her knives on as quickly as she could along with her two swords. She then walked down to the breakfast hall.

When Joselyn entered the breakfast hall Marcus automatically knew something was wrong. She was only wearing a gown, something she does when she is needing to reach her weapons quickly. As she walked in, Rowan was dragging the treasonous messenger from the other entrance to the dining hall. Henry and Aaron looked at each other clueless. Joselyn walked up the messenger and he began to beg for his life, “Please my Queen, spare my life. I was forced to…” he sentence was cut short “Rowan, you interrogated him. Is there anything of value or any truth to what he is saying?” Rowan held the man tightly in his grasp, “No, he is a trader, nothing more.” Joselyn nodded and with one swift movement grabbed a knife from her thigh and slit the messenger’s throat. His body detached from his head. Rowan stood holding the man’s head when Leon asked, “What exactly is going on?” Joselyn yelled for some guards to dispose of the body. She then turned to the men sitting at the breakfast table. “Men, the King of Doran will be upon us tonight. We were betrayed by the messenger I just killed. From now on Rowan will be giving the orders to our armies as well as us. He is our best chance at winning this war and staying alive.”

Rowan was quick in giving his orders; he had no time to waste. “Joselyn, take Marcus and find your positions on top of the castle walls. Make sure your arrows are set up along the wall, you have both swords, and all your knives.” Joselyn nodded as she grabbed Marcus by the hand and led him away. Rowan continued, “Leon, you need to make sure your blade is sharp, then find your men. You have a horse and will be charging from the South with your men.” Leon nodded and went to sharpen his blade. Rowan looked at Aaron and Henry then called for a guard, “Show these men the escape route in the event they should need it. After that take them to their horses within the castle walls and give each man a guard.” The guard nodded as he showed the escape path within the castle if they chose to use it. Rowan then quickly ran to the training grounds to assemble his men. Joselyn’s army would protect the front of the castle, it was the largest. King Leon’s would be protecting the south due to it being the second largest. Aaron and Henry’s armies were almost the same in size, so Aaron took the east of the castle and Henry’s army took the west. The castle would be protected on every side. Archers from each army would be placed on top of the castle wall along with Joselyn and Marcus. Rowan reached the training grounds and began assembling each army. Within record time each King’s army was assembled and the castle was surrounded. Rowan checked on Joselyn one last time, “Shoot straight.” She nodded and he made his way outside the front of the castle door. They were ready for war.