Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 14

Leon was still in a crowd of friends when he noticed Joselyn and Marcus walk in from outside. Leon couldn’t tell by Marcus’s face whether he was successful in persuading Joselyn to let him stay at the castle a while longer. Marcus was behaving like royalty tonight and tried to keep a consistent face. Marcus would tell him later of her decision. The King of Arcadia also noticed Joselyn walk in with Marcus and began walking in their direction with fury in his eyes. When the King of Arcadia reached them Marcus began speaking before he opened his mouth. “King of Arcadia, I apologize for my behavior earlier however there was a pressing matter I had to discuss with Queen Joselyn. I will not interject again.” The King of Arcadia nodded his head showing his acceptance of Marcus’s apology. He then held his hand out for Joselyn and asked “May I have this dance?” Joselyn gave the King of Arcadia her hand and they began dancing. Marcus wanted to take his sword and cut off the King of Arcadia’s head, but he knew better than to act so foolishly. Even though he wanted Joselyn all to himself, she had to be the one to accept him. Until then, she was free to dance with whomever she chose. Marcus walked over to King Leon to get his mind off Joselyn dancing with the King of Arcadia. Leon looked at his son and said, “How did it go?” Marcus tried to hold back his smile but failed. He had a wide smile on his face when he said, “She told me I could stay for a while longer.” Leon grabbed his son in a large hug and said, “That’s my boy. I never thought I would see the day when Joselyn took a shine to someone. Not only have I seen the day, it is my own son.” Marcus looked at Joselyn dancing, “She seems to have taken a shine to the King of Arcadia as well.” He said with jealousy in his voice. “Now Marcus, Leon began, she has always liked the King of Arcadia. That is something you will have to accept. If she falls in love with you the King of Arcadia will be far from her mind. Until then, you can’t behave as if she already belongs to you, because she doesn’t. But you do have the chance to win her love by staying here, I will send some of your clothes by a messenger from our Kingdom.” Marcus could hear his father but the words did not seem to register with his mind. His eyes stayed locked on Joselyn dancing with the King of Arcadia. “Thank You” was all Marcus said.

The ball was nearing its end and most guests had left. Joselyn stood beside Rowan at her thrown as she watched her guests leave. Her allies were still there eating and joking, but they would be staying the night once again. Marcus was invited to stay and he stood close to Joselyn. The last one in the room was the King of Arcadia. He walked up to Joselyn and said, “You know I have far to travel and it’s very late, may I just stay here for the night.” Joselyn looked at the King of Arcadia and said, “The long travel has never stopped you before.” The King of Arcadia smiled and said, “You’re right. But you know you would miss me as soon as I walked out that door and I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left you heartbroken.” Joselyn laughed but Marcus was fuming. He knew she would do the Queenly thing and let him spend the night, but it took every ounce of restraint he had not to attack the King of Arcadia. “Yes, you may spend the night.” Joselyn said. The King of Arcadia grabbed her hand and placed a small kiss on it, then turned his head to Marcus and smiled smugly. “I am exhausted” Joselyn said in a loud voice so her overnight guests could hear her. “I bid you goodnight.” The King of Arcadia looked about the room and noticed Marcus was still present. “Why are you still here?” he asked Marcus. Joselyn stopped walking and turned to see the King of Arcadia talking to Marcus. “I am still here because I have been invited to stay at this castle for a short while.” The King of Arcadia looked up at Joselyn and back to Marcus. “Why would you invite him to stay for a while?” The King of Arcadia asked Joselyn. Leon staggered up the stairs and in his drunken state patted Joselyn on the back and said, “You’re quite the commodity girly” laughing as he continued toward the top of the staircase. Joselyn looked at the King of Arcadia and said, “He saved my life and has been here for a couple of months recovering from his wounds. He is also the son of my ally. He asked to stay here a while longer and I agreed.” The King of Arcadia was not satisfied. He continued to question Joselyn when he heard Marcus “She gave you her reasons even though she owed you no explanation. Her answer is sufficient.” Before Joselyn realized Marcus was standing next to her. “So do you speak for her too?” The king of Arcadia asked Marcus. Marcus stayed silent. “No man speaks for me. However, what he said is true. It is not your place to question my decisions in my own Kingdom.” Joselyn said to the King of Arcadia. The King of Arcadia looked at Marcus and said, “Well, I wasn’t aware I had competition. Apparently you are winning the prize.” Joselyn began to speak but she was shocked by Marcus’s voice. “Joselyn is not a prize to be won. You mistake my intentions, however yours, King of Arcadia, are being made clear.” The King of Arcadia replied, “We shall see.” Joselyn had enough of two men talking about her as if she wasn’t there. She looked at the King of Arcadia and said “I have made my decision and I will not have it second guessed. She then looked at Marcus and said “I will not have men arguing over a heart that doesn’t belong to either of them.” The King of Arcadia held his head down and apologized. He then walked to his room for the night. Joselyn looked at Marcus and awaited his apology but she received, “May I walk you to your room?” “I was expecting an apology” Joselyn said. “For what? Did I say anything untrue?” Marcus asked. After Joselyn thought about it, Marcus’s words were true, and he came to her defense. “I don’t need you to defend me or speak for me Marcus.” “I know you don’t Joselyn. I know your perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and this Kingdom. I don’t want to speak for you, but I do want to speak with you.” Joselyn looked at Marcus and she was pleased to hear what he said. “Goodnight Marcus” was Joselyn’s reply as she turned and was escorted by Rowan to her chambers.

The next morning Joselyn took her place at the head of the breakfast table. Leon, Aaron, Henry, and their Queens were sat along with Marcus and Rowan. “Joselyn, Leon said, this upcoming war, you know you have my men but I thought maybe Rowan could lead them. He is very skilled at combat.” “You’re right he is very skilled at combat, but you will have to ask him; that is his decision to make.” Joselyn said while she ate. “Well, how about it Rowan. Would you be willing to lead my men as well as your own?” “Rowan looked at Leon and said, “It would be my privilege.” Aaron and Henry looked at each other and decided to follow Leon’s lead “What about our armies?” they both asked in unison. Rowan looked at them “Are you wanting me to command your armies as well?” he asked. Henry and Aaron both said “Yes” in unison once again. “It would be my pleasure” Rowan said. He continued, “This way will make it easier to form a strategic battle plan.” After breakfast, the Kings were all set to leave. Leon turned to Marcus and said “Your clothes will be delivered to you in a few days son. Have fun” Leon said with a wink. Joselyn bid farewell to her allies and walked back inside with Marcus by her side. “So what are we going to do today?” He asked. Joselyn looked at him with a smile and said, “Today you will get to see what I normally do on a day to day basis. I hope you are up for it” “I hope so too” Marcus said with a smile.

Joselyn and Marcus took a walk through the garden after breakfast. He realized her garden was beautiful, but it wasn’t just flowers. She had many different types of herbs growing, probably the same types she used to save his life. Joselyn had a small basket with her and she began picking different plants and herbs. “What are those for?” Marcus asked. “Well, some of these plants can be used for indigestion, sore throat, and when some are mixed together they can be used for the healing of wounds or fever.” “You gave me some of these herbs didn’t you.” Marcus said. “Yes I did. It’s important for me to keep some in the castle for emergencies, such as yours. We will take these and place them in a room where I keep all my medicines.” Marcus didn’t say anything he just watched her choose her herbs carefully. She explained what each one was and what it was used for. It had been almost 2 hours when Joselyn said, “Ok, lets take them to my medicinal room.” Marcus happily followed her. On the way back in the castle Marcus asked, “Where did you learn about herbal medicines?” “Well, when I was young there was a woman who worked for my father. He had a physician but he also had her. After a while he mostly used her for healing purposes. I was so young and without a mother, she took me under her wing and treated me like a daughter. She taught me everything she knew.” Marcus listened as she talked then said, “She must have been an excellent healer.” “Why do you say that” Joselyn asked. “Well because you are an excellent healer. I have never seen anything like it.” Joselyn smiled and continued walking back into the castle with Marcus right beside her. She led him to her medicinal room. When she opened the door Marcus was amazed. There were herbs hanging to dry, herbs growing in pots, and grinders. “I didn’t realize you had so many.” Marcus said. Then a thought came into his head. “You were wounded too, who treated your wound?” Joselyn finished putting the herbs away then answered, “I treated my own wound Marcus. I cauterized my wound in here before I treated you.” Marcus stood there for a moment then said, “You cauterized your own wound? Did anyone help you?” “No, I performed it on my own.” Joselyn said. Before Marcus could comment further he heard Rowan “Joselyn, it’s time to go.” “I’m on my way” she yelled. “Well Marcus, are you ready to see more of my day?” He smiled and said, “I can’t wait.” He was unsure what it had to do with Rowan but he wanted to know everything about her.

Joselyn and Marcus were led by Rowan to the training grounds. Marcus was walking beside Joselyn when Rowan suddenly turned with his sword. Before Marcus retrieved his sword Joselyn had hers out and was fighting Rowan. Marcus retrieved his sword and began to fight Rowan. “Marcus, no!” yelled Joselyn. Rowan put down his sword. “I don’t understand.” Marcus breathed heavily with his sword still in his hand. “I train everyday with Rowan. He catches me off guard sometimes so that I can be prepared if it ever happens.” Joselyn continued “I train with Rowan everyday so I can protect myself. Today, you are more than welcome to train as well.” Marcus sheathed his sword. “I wish you would have told me he said laughing.” Rowan had his hands on his hips and said “Now that we have that settled, Joselyn it is time to train.” Joselyn rolled her eyes then said, “Alright Rowan, what are we doing today?” Marcus realized she trusted Rowan fully. They talked as good friends and when he told her what to do she listened. This was a part of Joselyn he had never seen before. Rowan looked at Joselyn and said, “You had to fight 3 or 4 men at a time, and you weren’t trained to do it. We are going to work on that today along with your bow and arrow skills. You haven’t practiced with a bow in a long time and there is a war coming.” Rowan looked at Marcus and said, “Do you want to participate and be one of the men she will be fighting?” Marcus looked at Rowan and said, “If she permits it.” Joselyn looked at Rowan and nodded. Rowan was wearing armor and he instructed Marcus to place some on. “What about Joselyn?” Marcus asked Rowan. “She won’t wear it. It prevents her from getting to her weapons” Rowan explained. Rowan instructed Marcus to attack quickly and Marcus nodded. Rowan turned to Joselyn and began running toward her with his sword out and Marcus did the same. Joselyn released her top garment and raised her gown to reach her daggers. She through two daggers at each man striking their armor. Joselyn heard a rustling behind her and immediately grabbed her sword and turned. There were three men attacking. She fought very well with her sword and in between the sound of metal crashing on her sword she would throw her daggers. The fight went on for a while until Joselyn had a dagger in every soldier and performed adequately enough for Rowan to stop her sword training. “Now we move on to bow and arrow” Rowan said. He placed targets close as well as further away. Marcus was taking off his armor and still trying to wrap his mind around what he just witnessed. For one he came at the woman he loved with a sword, she raised her garments in front of other men, and she had defeated every man. If it was possible Marcus loved her even more. He was thinking about the fight when he heard Rowan, “Focus and hit the target Joselyn.”

After Joselyn finished her training she was sweating and out of breath. Her hair was messy and she didn’t bother trying to fix it. “Rowan I’m going for a ride on the grounds.” Joselyn said as she placed her daggers back around her thighs. “Make sure to stay on the grounds, don’t go outside the castle walls without me.” Rowan said with a protectiveness in his voice. “I won’t.” Joselyn replied as she walked slowly toward the barn with Marcus following behind her. Marcus quickened his pace so he was side by side with Joselyn. He could hear her heavy breathing as she tried to get it back under control. “Do you have soldiers attack you often?” Marcus asked. Joselyn looked at him and smiled, “Yes, I often have soldiers attack me to maintain and improve my fighting skills. You heard Rowan. There is going to be a war and I must be well prepared to fight in it.” Marcus stopped walking and Joselyn turned to look at him. “Do you mean you plan to fight in the war instead of overseeing it?” Marcus asked with concern in his voice. “That is exactly what I mean. I will not send my soldiers to fight and die in a war that I called for. If they are willing to fight for me I am willing to fight for them, and that means fighting by their side.” Joselyn stated matter of fact. “That is the reason Rowan pushes me so hard. He knows I will fight alongside his men and he wants me to be able to protect myself” Marcus was shocked to hear that she was going to fight alongside the soldiers. Usually leaders of a Kingdom don’t even go to the battleground, and if they do they stay far back so they aren’t in danger. “Don’t worry Marcus, you will be sitting beside my allies while the war is being fought. You won’t be in any danger.” Joselyn said. Marcus took a little offence to her statement. Surely she did not think he would watch while the woman he loves placed herself in harms way. “Joselyn, I will be alongside you fighting. I will not sit back and watch you fight while I cower in the shadows. What kind of man would that make me?” Joselyn looked at him but didn’t answer his question. She was happy with his answer, and she was happy he wanted to do things with and beside her. War is not ideal, but he wouldn’t let her do it alone. Joselyn was enjoying the true Marcus, however time would tell if this persona was the true Marcus. Joselyn and Marcus continued their walk to the barn in silence. Marcus was not happy Joselyn would put herself in harms way, but he also respected the reasons why she would. He respected the love she had for her people; she cared for them much she would die beside them if need be. Joselyn broke the silence when she said, “I am going for a small ride around the grounds; you are more than welcome to join me.” “Show me which horse I can ride” Marcus stated. Joselyn and Marcus mounted their horses and slowly rode them around the grounds. Joselyn had her eyes closed and she was smiling. Marcus liked seeing her this way. She did not look at all like a Queen. Joselyn was a mess from training and she was riding a horse with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. Marcus was almost shocked she had her eyes closed because she wasn’t able to see him. He smiled to himself, this meant she felt safe around him. “Marcus, you need not feel obligated to be by my side every moment. I’m sure you would like to do something else.” Marcus smiled as she never opened her eyes and still had a smile on her face and he said, “I don’t feel obligated Joselyn. If I didn’t want to be in your presence I wouldn’t. It just so happens you have a way of making me want to follow you everywhere. No woman has ever had that effect on me before.” Joselyn just let a small “hmm” sound. “Joselyn may I ask why you are riding with closed eyes and a smile on your face.” Joselyn smiled even wider and said, “I feel content. I don’t have to worry about training, wars, or anything else. I just get to enjoy the smell of the flowers and I trust my horse to guide me along.” Marcus grinned and shook his head at her answer. She is always saying or doing something in her own way that surprises him. It’s these little surprises that continue to draw him closer to her. “It’s almost dinner time. Let’s put these horses up and get ready.” Joselyn said. “Thank goodness” Marcus said. Joselyn opened one eye to look at him, “I’m starving” he finished. Joselyn smiled as she turned her horse and they rode back to the stables.