Knight’s Vow

Alana ran to her room to pack her things, tears streaming before she even closed the door. King Nave, her father, had made a deal with the King of Moreq, King Roy. She was to leave in the morning to wed his son, Prince Cyrus. Alana never thought her father would do this; he had always told her it would be her choice to marry as she chose. His marriage had been from love, and he said hers would be too. But instead, she now had to marry a man she had never met to bring peace.  “Can I even be mad about this? It’s for a good reason, even if it means father lied.” So she thought to herself, not for the first time. “And what is the surprise he talked about? What could surprise me now?” Closing her first trunk, she moved on to the second. Having never been to Moreq, she did not have any idea what to pack. Alana had never left Tyriel, where the weather changed by season. She had heard that the climate was more unpredictable and harsh in Moreq. Not to mention that part of the journey would be by ship across the Sea of Acrelis. Should I bring some of everything? Who am I trying to impress? The Prince is being forced into this too. It’s not like he’ll even want me. I’m not lady-like, I don’t bother with “proper etiquette,” and I like to train with the knights stationed in the castle when I’m not learning about my responsibilities to the kingdom from my father. Not the ideal princess bride.  A knock interrupted the internal strife brewing in Alana. A courtier was waiting in the hallway when I opened the door. “What is it, Liza?” “The king wishes to see you in his office.” The young woman replied. She was short, with brown hair and eyes and a face that betrayed no emotion unless she meant it to. Honestly, she would be pretty if she wanted to be, but she didn’t.  I nodded and walked to the mirror to ensure no stray tears were on my face before closing the door and following Liza.  “Is this about the surprise he mentioned earlier?” I asked, confused as to why the King might want to speak with me at this late hour. After the conversation at dinner, I was not in the mood to see him.  “It is, and you are going to love it,” Liza said smiling, a rare show of emotion for her. The surprise must be something good.  We walked down the last few flights of stairs to fathers office in silence. I was too busy trying to figure out what was waiting for me to ask any more questions. Was it something for the Prince? An addition to my dowry, maybe? Liza paused outside of the office door, turning to smile at me again before knocking.  “Come in,” Father said as the door swung open. I searched the room as I walked in but saw nothing different. There was a chaise against the wall to my left that sat empty, and the only occupied seat was the one father sat in behind his large oak desk. Papers were piled high, along with maps and pens.  The King eyed me with a small smile, his red-brown hair falling to cover his left eye. My hair was the same color as his, but my blue eyes were from my mother. I always wished I could have his green eyes, but of course, plain blue was what I got. On my mother, the blue stood out against her tanned skin and dark brown hair. On me, they seemed dim and dull.  I looked around again, noting once again the lack of anything surprising. “What is it fath- whoa!” I yelled as someone grabbed me and spun me from behind.  “Hello, Lana,” a deep voice said in my ear as the arms around me slowly set me down. I spun around, hoping I was right. Only one person called me Lana.  “Luke?” I looked at the man in front of me, trying to find something I recognized in him. He was tall, at least 6 inches taller than me, and wore a knight’s uniform with my father’s dragon seal stitched on the front. I looked into his face, noting the same brown eyes and brown-black hair that my best friend Luke had growing up. “Is it you?” I whispered, touching his cheek.  “Yes, Lana, it’s me. I’m back.” He said, smiling. I rushed into his arms, holding him tight and fighting the tears that were welling in my eyes. It had been four years since I had seen Luke. We were 14 when he left for his training at a stronghold on the northernmost tip of Tyriel. I had been hoping for months since his 18th birthday passed that he would return home. And now that I was leaving, he was returning home.  “You’re back, but I leave tomorrow.” I turned to my father, anger flaring. “Did you know he was returning when you told me I had to go? I refuse to leave until I’ve had time to talk with Luke. You owe me that for taking my Choi-“ “He is going with you to be your personal guard at your new home. We spoke about it before I sent for you.” Father said, speaking over me to avoid a fight. “You will have time to speak over the journey.” I turned back to Luke, not wanting to ask but needing to know. “Are you sure this is what you want? What about your mom? And sister? I know they miss you.” Father cleared his throat. “Perhaps you two should take a walk and catch up. I have more work to do before I can retire to bed. Goodnight, daughter, Luke.” He said before waving his hand and dismissing us.  Luke turned to the door, grabbing the handle and pulling it open. “Come, Lana. I know where we should go.” I followed him out to the courtyard. It was summer in Tyriel, so the flowers were in full bloom. During the day, bees and bugs would be flying among the roses and azaleas growing in rows along the path. Now, it was just us and the moon. “Luke, your family has missed you. I don’t expect you to follow me and leave them behind. I can’t ask that of you.” “You didn’t. The King asked me after asking my mother. You know she would do anything for you, including saying goodbye to me again. I’ve been here for a few days while the negotiations have been happening, spending time with ma and Lexi. I waited until I knew we would be traveling together before seeing you. It would be unfair to come back to leave you again.” “You didn’t. The King asked me after asking my mother. You know she would do anything for you, including saying goodbye to me again. I’ve been here for a few days while the negotiations have been happening, spending time with ma and Lexi. I waited until I knew we would be traveling together before seeing you. It would be unfair to come back just to leave you again.” He is just as stubborn and loyal as he was when we were kids. He doesn’t even see how unfair this is to him and his family. Or how unfair it is to me. “I don’t want to go, Luke. He always told me I could choose to marry who I wanted and never be forced to marry as other kingdoms do to their daughters and sons. I’ve never even met Bren. What if he is cruel or doesn’t like who I am? I will not change myself to fit his lifestyle.” “I am as confused as you, Lana. He would never do this if he had a choice. I just wonder what King Roy promised him in return.” “Peace between our countries and an extension into Moreq with the trade route. At least, that’s what he told me. I didn’t even know another war was about to break out until he told me I was leaving earlier.” My heart is pounding, and tears are threatening to spill. I hate that I cry when I’m mad. I’d rather be training than packing my things to leave the only home I have ever known. I know it’s my responsibility to the kingdom to try and prevent a war, but I wish I could do that without giving up my freedom. I know I have to marry eventually, and I already know who I would marry if I could choose, not that he can ever know now.