Ascardia

Chapter One: The Princess of Nightingale

The kingdom of Nightingale didn't always have a beautiful, yet deadly princess. No, for over fifteen years the King and Queen were childless and saddened by this fact.

Day after day, the kingdom went through the motions. Knowing that without any kind of heir woman or not, their kingdom could very well be taken by outcasts and bandits. Destroying every trace of Nightingale.

It was a day like any other, the King was in his study, moping and worrying about the future of his people when he's normally meek Queen came barreling in, without so much as a knock.

"Aris what is it?" the King asked wearily. Afraid news had spread of the heirless kingdom.

"Oh Aragorn, I'm with child!"

"Ki'Finecta, are you certain?"

"Ki'Lissa, I would not have told you if I wasn't Ara."

The king leaped in joy, embracing his wife happily. Finally, all their prayers had been answered.

***

Far away from Nightingale, the kingless kingdom was run by a tyrant of a duke. His name was Malokai, and his wife, Duchess Astrid was no better. They ran Ash with an iron fist.

Together, they had three sons and a beautiful daughter. Edmond the oldest of fifteen years, Maddox, of ten years, Enoch of only five years, and little two-year-old Emmerson.

One day, the duke and duchess were found dead. Everyone was quick to blame poor Enoch, who was banished with his nanny to the Forbidden Forest. Edmond was quick to claim his new title, and with it, he began plotting ways of taking over the land of Ascardia.

***

In Nightingale, months had passed blissfully for the Queen. It was her final month of pregnancy. She was bed-stricken, to appease her King's paranoia that something could go wrong.

It was nearing the moon's highest peak that immense pain spread from her stomach to her nether region. She screamed out for the midwives who slept in the next room.

They all, all four of them rushed into the room. Followed soon after by her distraught husband. He ran to her side, and took up her hand. Barely noticing the torn bed sheets.

"Karcas!" The queen screamed in agony as another pain filled clench of her muscles tore through her. She noticed with some satisfaction, her husband flinch in pain.

"You did this! You caused this! Ti'Krakas!" The queen swore as another wave tore her apart.

"I'm sorry my love." The king offered. She simply glared at her husband.

"I don't want an apology you great fanged baboon! I want her out!"

"Her?" The queen looked at her king, challenging him to doubt her.

"Alright my Queen, push now!" Milda said, whilst Tilda, and Gilda anchored her ankles in the air, Miriam dabbed her face with a cool cloth. The Queen did not hesitate, she pushed with all her might. After four agonizing pushes, little wails could be heard.

"It's a girl your majesty." Tilda whispered. The queen shot her husband a glance, that said 'I told you so'.

"What shall we name our princess?" whispered the king.

"Onyx Rose of Nightingale." The queen whispered. Before falling into dreamless sleep.

The next morning the King commissioned the greatest gardeners in Ascardia to plant four hundred miles of roses for his beautiful first born. He paid them handsomely, 10,000 gold baubles to each.

***

At the tender age of five, Onyx Rose or as she already preferred, Nyx was told she was the Jewel of Nightingale, and she must be well versed in swordplay. So her father, gifted her with a wonderful wooden sword, polished and smoothed until it shone like a true blade.

"Ki'Finesse towe Nightingale,you must learn to fight, there are many in this world who will not like a woman ruling on her own. You must become a kramaka."

On her tenth birthday she was gifted a stallion. He was as black as night, save for one hind leg, there the beast had a white sock. Nyx, named him Obsidian. For he was as black as the jewel.

Onyx was very intelligent. She went through tutors like she did sweets. She surpassed even them in a weeks time. She was well versed in battle strategy, and hand to hand combat, and she knew the armory as if it were her bedchamber.

At fifteen she beat her father's head knight in a duel, in five minutes, without a scratch.

At eighteen, news of Nightingale's warrior princess had spread to Ash, and Edmond.

***

Emmerson Ashbury sat rigidly in her chair in Ashbury Manor. She was visiting her brothers in Ash for a fortnight. She didn't like what they were discussing.

"I'm telling you Ed, Gloria insists the princess of Nightingale is a warrior. She witnessed her overthrow a general, in five minutes, at fifteen."

"She's a woman. How can she possibly outsmart a man?"

"She's smart, well versed in battle strategy, equine riding, hand to hand, weaponry. You should see her with that dual bladed sword. It can split apart mid battle! She cut a boar in half! Not to mention, she's unbelievably beautiful. "

"What is this warrior princess' name Dox?"

"Onyx Rose."

"Edmond you can't possibly be thinking of marrying her! You're almost twice her age!" Emmerson protested.

"I don't care. She's an oddity and I want her."

"It's not that simple Ed, she's next in line to become Queen, in order to marry her, you'd have to move to Nightingale. And give me your title." Maddox said.

"But I could be king. Alux! Take note!" A sniveling man approached with a quill and parchment.

Dear King Aragorn,

I ask for your daughter's hand in matrimony. I intend to move to Nightingale to be her King.

Sincerely,

Edmond Ashbury

"Send it at once Alux."

"Yes milord."

Emmerson scurried from the room, to send her own letter. To the only brother, she truly cared for. Enoch.

Dearest Enoch,

You must save the warrior princess of Nightingale from a terrible fate! You must protect her from Edmond. He wants to marry her. He only wishes to use his title asking to take over Ascardia. He would kill her after she produced an heir. You must save her.

Yours truly

Emma

Emmerson tied the letter to her falcon, Deidra,

"You know what to do. Find him." Deidra screeched and took to the air, disappearing to the south.

"Please get there before Bastian."

Bastian was her brother's nasty Eagle, he was taller than two full-grown men and twice as wide as any well-fed hog, his talons were larger than any hound, and his beak was lined with razor-sharp teeth. He didn't fly as fast, but he could fly for hours on end. Emmerson slumped against the wall, staring out into the night sky.

***

Enoch Ashbury was practicing his archery when the familiar squawk of his sister's bird sounded above him.

"Deidra?" Enoch whispered, he whistled for her, and held out a leather-clad arm. The magnificent bird landed, its knife-like claws digging into the leather of his sleeve.

"I suppose you've got a letter from Emma?"

The bird held out its leg and Enoch undid the string. The bird pecked his ear affectionately taking a new perch on his shoulder.

He unfurled the letter and his sister's elegant script met his eyes.

"She wants me to save a princess across the damn country? But, if it means a chance at Edmond... I'm in."

Enoch turned on his heel and sauntered into the cottage he had helped make. Hannah was knitting by the fire. She was his mother in every sense of the word.

"I have a job, so I'll be gone for some time. Can you tend to Deidra?"

"Of course."

Enoch packed some clothes, food, his canteen, and filled his weapon sack with what he thought he'd need. His scabbard was filled with the most expensive thing he owned, the emerald encrusted sword that Maddox had given him on his departure. He knew Dox didn't think Enoch had killed their parents but he and Em were too afraid of Edmond.

Going to the makeshift stable he saddled his horse and filled the saddlebags with his things. Donning his travel cloak and his bow and quiver, he mounted and headed towards Nightingale. He'd never been to the northeast but he knew the way.

He was going to save the warrior princess from the Ashbury everyone feared.

"I'm coming, Princess of Nightingale. "