Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 8

Joselyn found Rowan to get an update on the messengers she had dispatched to her ally kingdoms. “Has there been any word from the messengers?” Joselyn asked when she saw Rowan. “They arrived only a few moments ago. Here are the responses.” Rowan stated as he handed Joselyn three letters that were still sealed. Joselyn took the letters as she and Rowan walked to her study. She recognized the first seal immediately. It was green and gold with the impression of a lion for the seal. It belonged to King Leon. She and Rowan sat down as she broke the seal on each letter and read them. “King Leon, King Aaron, and King Henry have all accepted their invitations to the ball and will arrive the day before as I requested.” Joselyn told Rowan as she looked at him with happiness and sorrow in her face. “I know you do not want war, but the King of Doran has made an attempt on your life. He wants to overthrow you and is in the process of trying. There isn’t another way.” Rowan told Joselyn. “I know. I have thought the same exact thing myself. Joselyn said. “Now that I know for sure they are coming, she continued, invitations need to be sent out to aristocracy.” “You’re not going to invite the towns people to the ball like always?” Rowan asked. Joselyn held her head in her hands and sighed, “I hate not inviting the towns people, but King Henry and King Aaron hold on to the idea of class in their Kingdoms. They would not be seen talking to their towns people because they are of a lower station. I need both on my side for this war if I want to win it. I am not inviting the towns people, but it is for their own good as well as this Kingdoms.” “I understand.” Rowan stated. “Do you want me to have the messengers send out invitations to all aristocracy within the Kingdom?” he asked. Joselyn replied, “Yes, I do. Try and get all the invitations out within the next two days and let them know we are having Kings visiting from other kingdoms.” “I will start on it right now my Queen.” Rowan said. “Rowan,” he stopped to look at Joselyn. “Before you go is there any other business that needs my attention?” Joselyn asked. Rowan was taken back by her question. Queen Joselyn always knew what was going on within her Kingdom at all times. “Not at this time My Queen. Court isn’t until tomorrow.” He said. At that statement, Joselyn let her head fall on her arms that were crossed on her desk. Rowan grew concerned. His Queen wasn’t normally like this. “Perhaps later we can work out your arm. I know it is still tender, but it will get you outside of the castle for a while.” Rowan said with a questioning voice. “No, my arm is still too tender to work it out. I want to make a new sword today.” Joselyn said. “I thought your arm was too sore to use.” Rowan stated. “It is too sore to continually throw daggers. I can manage making a sword.” Joselyn stated. “If there is anything that requires my attention,” Joselyn continued, “you know where I will be.” “Yes, my Queen,” Rowan said bowing as she rose from her desk and walked out of the door.

Joselyn had a room in the castle where she made her daggers and swords. She had only the one sword that she carried, and it was fashioned in the same manner as her daggers, except for the handle. All her ally Kings wanted to know her secret, but she wouldn’t let them know how she was able to make her daggers and sword look so bright, not just a regular dull silver. Joselyn came across the idea to mix gold with silver. The mixture came out beautifully. Joselyn retrieved some gold and silver from a cabinet in her work room. She decided she was going to fashion two swords. Another one for her, and one to give to Marcus. She wanted him to have something no one else had, and that would be an envied sword of every King. It would be a gift to him for saving her life. The process of making a sword or dagger like Joselyn’s took time. She wanted to make sure she had it before the ball to present it to him. He should be completely healed within that amount of time. She would have to work several hours every day, but she had made up her mind this was the perfect gift to give Marcus.

Later that evening, Joselyn returned to Marcus’s chambers to give him his dinner broth. She was tired from working on the swords all day, but she tried not to show it. When she entered the room Marcus was already waiting for her to arrive. He had been looking forward to her getting back just so he could look at her and talk to her. When she walked in, he immediately noticed she was exhausted. “You look tired.” Marcus said to Joselyn with a worried tone. “I had some things to take care of today.” She replied. “They must have been mentally draining for you to look this tired within these few short hours.” Marcus said. Joselyn only smiled. She didn’t want to give away the fact she made her own swords to him. Marcus noticed she continued to rub her healing arm. Joselyn brought the broth to him that she had boiled. He took the bowl and laid it on the table next to his bed and reached for her arm. Joselyn immediately pulled back. “I can see that it’s bothering you, please let me try to help.” Marcus almost pleaded. Joselyn looked at him for a moment then moved her body closer to Marcus. He gently put his hand over her dress sleeve then slowly and gently began to rub. As he massaged her sore arm, Marcus’s eyes locked with Joselyn’s. For the first time since Joselyn could remember she felt nervous. She pulled her gaze to the broth on the table. “Is this making your arm feel any better?” Marcus asked as he continued to rub her arm. “Yes, it is actually helping the soreness very well.” Joselyn replied quietly. Joselyn could feel her face getting flushed and she pulled away from Marcus’s touch. “You should drink your broth now before it gets cold.” She told Marcus. Marcus could tell his touch had an effect on her and it made him grin widely. He must have not realized it because Joselyn said, “What are you smiling about?” Marcus couldn’t stop smiling at her as he said, “I’m just looking forward to this broth.” As he placed the bowl to his lips and took a sip. Joselyn found herself smiling back at Marcus. He knew the effect he was having on her, and he was enjoying it. For some reason she didn’t understand, she was enjoying it too. While Marcus was drinking his broth, Rowan knocked on the door. “Enter” Joselyn yelled. Rowan walked in with a paper in his hand. He noticed Joselyn sitting on the edge of the bed Marcus lay in but ignored her misconduct. He knew she always did as she pleased. “What is it Rowan?” Joselyn asked as she stood from the bed and reached for the papers he was holding. “The King of Arcadia will be traveling this way and has requested to dine with you tomorrow evening.” Rowan said before Joselyn could read the papers. “Oh, well I would be pleased to have dinner with him. Please get the message to him for me.” Joselyn told Rowan. “Yes My…” before Rowan could finish Marcus interjected. “You are seriously going to dine with the King of Arcadia.” Rowan looked at Marcus and placed a hand on his sword. People do not speak to the Joselyn in such a manor without her giving a command for punishment. Rowan was surprised when he heard Joselyn say, “Why wouldn’t I dine with him?” “Well,” Marcus started, “I just didn’t think you enjoyed dining with King’s who only want your Kingdom.” “Do you know the King of Arcadia?” Joselyn asked. “Well, no,” Marcus lied. “But you have court tomorrow so you will be tired.” He continued with excuses. “I am more than capable of eating food after court Marcus.” Joselyn said. She turned to a stunned Rowan and said, “Please send the message for me.” “Yes, my Queen” Rowan stated and then turned to leave. After Rowan left, Joselyn looked at Marcus and in a serious tone asked, “How did you know I had court tomorrow?” Marcus realized he had slipped up. Court was always held on the last day of the month. “I just assumed. If I needed to go to court, it was always held on the last day of the month.” Marcus nervously said. Joselyn took his excuse and said, “You’re right. I do have court tomorrow and it is usually very tiring. However, I still must eat which is why I accepted the King of Arcadia’s request.” Marcus wanted to protest more, but he didn’t want to push his luck. “I hope you have a good time at dinner tomorrow.” Marcus said sarcastically. “I’m sure I will. I won’t be able to bring your broth tomorrow because I have court and then a guest. I will make sure a maid boils it fresh and gives it to you.” “You’re not coming tomorrow night?” Marcus asked. “I’m not sure if I will have the strength, but I will ensure you receive your broth. I need to go to my chambers and get some rest now. As you know, tomorrow is a big day.” Joselyn said as walked out the door. Marcus was mad with jealousy, and he knew there was nothing he could do about it. At this point she doesn’t know he is royalty and would think he was trying to get her Kingdom deceitfully. She did not belong to him, and he couldn’t tell her he didn’t want her dining with other men. Marcus’s plan to get to know Joselyn was starting to backfire.