Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 17

The village people were still playing games and feasting when Marcus and Joselyn found there way back. Marcus wouldn’t leave her side, not after the kiss she allowed him to have. He never felt love like this for anyone, and he realized she felt it too. He suddenly became very protective of her, as if she could be taken away at any moment. Joselyn was laughing with the towns people while Marcus admired her beauty when a guard came riding up. Rowan left his place between two women and was immediately by Joselyn’s side. “A message was delivered to the castle My Queen” he said as he handed her the paper. Joselyn took the paper and began to read. It didn’t take her long before she quickly gave the paper to Rowan and almost ran to her horse. Rowan read the message and immediately followed Joselyn who already mounted her horse. “Wait My Queen” Rowan called out. “Hurry Rowan, we don’t have much time.” Marcus ran behind Rowan who had rolled the message up and gripped in his hand. Marcus knew something was wrong but he was running blind behind Rowan and didn’t have time to stop and ask questions. Rowan and Marcus mounted their horses and Rowan discreetly gave directions to a guard. “Let’s go My Queen” Rowan said abruptly and rode hard for the castle with Joselyn by his side. Marcus was behind them along with several guards. Rowan took about 10 guards with them and left the rest in the village. Once inside the castle gates Joselyn jumped off her horse and ran inside. Marcus and Rowan both trailed her. When Marcus and Rowan finally caught up to her she was already writing out a message. “Joselyn, what is going on?” Marcus asked breathlessly. “The King of Doran has already began to march an army toward my Kingdom. I assumed he would need more time to prepare with his allies, but he made his arrangements before ever visiting this castle. I have to get these messages out to our ally Kingdoms, they need to have their armies here as soon as possible.” Marcus watched Joselyn frantically scribbling down her message on the small paper. Rowan sat down beside her and began writing a message for one of the allies. Marcus took a seat next to Joselyn with quill and paper “What do I need to write?” “Write exactly what I just told you. The King of Doran is marching on my Kingdom and I require the armies of my allies as quickly as possible.” Marcus nodded his head and began writing the urgent message as quickly as he could. Joselyn finished her message and yelled for the messengers. The messengers quickly came each one holding their carrier pigeons. Each bird flew to one Kingdom. “Here” Marcus handed Joselyn his message. “These need to go out now, and I need to be informed immediately when they come back.” The messengers began rolling up the individual pieces of paper and attached one to each bird. Joselyn watched as each bird was sent out of the window. “I want to know the second those birds come back.” “Yes my Queen” the messengers said as they left the room. “Rowan, prepare your men for battle. We didn’t prepare for a fight in our Kingdom.” Rowan nodded and left to assemble a plan for his guards. “What will happen if your allies can’t get here on time?” Marcus asked. “They should arrive on time if they leave tomorrow, but if they don’t we will stand and fight.” Marcus looked at Joselyn and in a serious tone asked “I know your men will fight, I’m asking what you will do. What is your escape plan. Surely Rowan has a way to get you away from the castle without being harmed.” Joselyn looked at him “I don’t know about you, but I am not a coward, and I fight with my men. I won’t have them fight and die while their leader runs away.” “Joselyn” Marcus began, “I am no coward and I plan to stay and fight, however I don’t want anything to happen to you. I remember you saying you fight with your men, but that was when we had a strategic battle plan. Now we don’t. If you have made up your mind to fight, then get use to me fighting right by your side. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and alive” “I will do the same for you Marcus.” Joselyn responded. Marcus grabbed Joselyn in a hard embrace and kissed her passionately. “You stubborn woman” he muttered as his forehead rested on hers. “Will you let me stay with you tonight?” Joselyn stepped back from him “Not for that. I want to make sure I can see you and protect you if anything unforeseen happens.” Joselyn looked at him and realized the fear in his eyes. She was nervous when she answered him, “Yes, you may stay with me tonight. I was getting ready to bid you goodnight, but we will go together.” Marcus intertwined his fingers in hers and they walked to her chambers. Once the door closed behind them Joselyn wasn’t sure what to do, even though she was in her own bed chambers. “I can’t act like this now. My Kingdom is at stake” she thought. Joselyn removed her swords and laid them next to her bed. She then removed the top covering of her dress to reveal only a thin gown with her daggers. Suddenly Joselyn felt exposed although she had been in this form of dress around male company many times. She tried to focus as she removed the daggers from her thighs and around her waist. She laid them on a stand next to her bed. “Will you turn around so I can get into my night clothes?” Marcus suddenly realized he had been watching Joselyn undress and hadn’t bothered to turn his head as a gentleman would. “Of course, I apologize” he said as he quickly turned around. Marcus waited as she dressed but smiled at the thought of watching her. “I’m finished” Marcus turned to find Joselyn already under covers in the bed. He walked over and sat in a chair close to the bed. “You get some sleep, I will be right here if you need me.” Joselyn smiled at him, he really did care for her. “Marcus, why don’t you lay next to me. You can be comfortable and still protect me.” Marcus didn’t think twice as he crawled into bed next to Joselyn. She scooted close to him and laid her head on his chest. Marcus’s heart began to pound at the closeness of her. “Marcus, do you know that I love you?” He looked down at her tenderly and placed a small kiss on her forehead. “Yes, I was just waiting for you to realize it” he smiled. Joselyn smiled and nuzzled her head deeper into his chest. “Goodnight Marcus” he gently removed stray strands of hair from her face and replied “Good night my Queen.”

Marcus laid in bed running his fingers through her hair as she slept on his chest. He smiled as he replayed the thought of Joselyn confessing her love to him. He finally won her heart, but the upcoming war may take her away from him. He knew he was going to do everything he could to keep her safe. The morning light was starting to shine through the window. He had been up all night watching over her. The small rays of sunshine reflected off her deep brown hair and warmed her face. Joselyn truly was a beautiful woman. As Marcus admired the woman he loved her chamber door flew open. Marcus immediately jumped to his feet, sword in hand. Joselyn jolted up and started to reach for her daggers until she saw Rowan rushing into the room. “I apologize for entering so abruptly Joselyn” he said as he looked at Marcus. His presence in her room did not go unnoticed by Rowan, but his Queen was always unconventional. “The messenger birds all came back. King Leon, King Henry, and King Aaron all stated they left with their armies last night after receiving your message. King Leon should be here sometime tonight, and the other two should arrive tomorrow.” Joselyn jumped out of bed, grabbing a wrap to conceal her body through the shear night gown. She ran over to Rowan, “We must get every battle plan in order. We will have King Leon’s army tonight, so you will need to educate them on what they should do.” Joselyn started over to her dressing room so she could get dressed for the day. “Rowan, remember to include me in this plan. I can use a bow, sword, and knives. I expect you to incorporate me in all these aspects.” “Don’t worry Joselyn, you are already in the battle plan.” Rowan turned to leave and gave Marcus a questioning look. Marcus then followed Rowan out of Joselyn’s chambers and shut the door. “Do you really have her in your battle plan strategy?” Marcus asked. “You should know by now that she is going to fight, she won’t change her mind.” “I am fully aware that she is going to fight, but does she need to be on the ground fighting soldiers with a sword?” Marcus asked irritation obvious in his voice. Rowan stopped walking and turned to him, “I placed her along the castle walls. She will have several bows placed up there so she can run to another when she runs out of arrows, which she will have plenty of. When she runs out of arrows she will have her daggers to throw, and she will have plenty of those as well. The strategy is to keep her fighting, but doing it as far away from the ground as possible.” “I underestimated you Rowan. She gets to fight but you are keeping her as safe as possible.” Rowan gave him a nod then started outside toward his soldiers. He stopped and turned on his heel, “By the way, you will be fighting beside Joselyn.” Marcus smiled, “Understood.” Rowan turned and went on his way. “We need to eat breakfast quickly” Marcus jumped. He didn’t realize Joselyn had quickly walked up behind him. “We must get everything in place. I don’t want to be unprepared.” “I’m sure Rowan will see we are prepared.” Marcus replied. “You’re right, he will. But he also needs help, and I will do all I can. After breakfast I need to ask him where he wants me.” Marcus already knew where she was going to be, but he decided to let Rowan be the one to tell her. He is her Commander of the Guards. “You’re right Joselyn. There is a lot to do, especially with my father bringing another army tonight. Let’s eat and figure out where Rowan has placed us in his battle plan.” Marcus automatically linked his fingers through hers and they walked to the dining hall for breakfast.

Marcus and Joselyn ate their breakfast within minutes of receiving it. Joselyn was in a hurry to get to Rowan. Marcus tried to keep her pace but he almost choked on a piece of bread. They managed to finish breakfast and Joselyn quickly got up from her seat set out for a side door. She stopped to wait for Marcus. When he reached her she interlocked his hand in hers. Marcus smiled at her and let her lead the way. When they found Rowan, he had already placed his guards in their suited strengths. Some were on horseback, some ground soldiers, and some bow and arrow. He was explaining how the distinct colors of each flag represented each group. The guards already knew but Rowan was thorough. He stopped and turned to Joselyn. Without letting her speak he said, “You and Marcus are stationed on top with the archers. I need you to take all of the light colored quivers, they are yours, and bows. Each quiver should have fifty arrows. Place each quiver and bow several feet apart so you can run to it when you run out of arrows. I also need you to gather all the daggers you have. As normal, keep some daggers on your person. As for the rest, do them like the bows and quivers only in different spots. Keep two swords with you as well. Marcus will be fighting alongside you.” After he had finished speaking, Rowan pointed toward the ground where a large number of bows and quivers lay. Joselyn nodded and began to grab the light colored quivers along with there bows. She and Marcus made several trips from the castle walls to the training grounds until Joselyn had retrieved all her bows and quivers. She placed them just as Rowan said. “I need to get my daggers.” “Shouldn’t we prepare for the arrival of my father and his army? They will be tired and hungry.” Marcus asked. Joselyn thought about it, “You’re right. I can get my daggers placed tomorrow. We do need to prepare food for our allies.” Joselyn walked downstairs to the kitchen where the cooks had been slaving away all day to ensure there was enough food for every King and guard. From what Joselyn could see, there would be enough food for King Leon and his army by nightfall. “I know you’re anxious, but we can’t tackle everything in one day. Rowan will need to place the new guards where he wants them. You can’t do anything right now except be a grateful host to your ally.” Joselyn sighed “You’re right. We need to make ourselves presentable for dinner and be grateful hosts to our allies.” Joselyn didn’t realize she continued to say the word “we” instead of “I,” however Marcus was fully aware. He smiled, slid her arm through his and said, “Shall we get ready then?” Joselyn gave him a nod. He walked her to her chambers and kissed her gently before walking to his own.