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I clear my throat. “Will you not reconsider wearing armor into battle, my love?”
“Armor makes a soldier slow, sweet lass,” Jordy replies.
“Armor keeps a soldier alive,” I shoot back.
“Not this soldier.”
I nod my understanding and steady my horse when it flinches. We ride on either side of Sir Victor, a clutch of golden knights behind us aiding their new general in my protection. The riders are quiet as we slowly pace our horses along the narrow road leading to the castle. A few riders join us along the way, exiting their cottages as they kiss their wives farewell. My army consists of farmers and shop owners, ranch hands and peasants. Some have steel armor, and some do not. But they are all humble, as am I. But we will not let our fear stop us.
“Have you seen Philip?” I whisper to Jordy.
“Philip?” Jordy’s lips sink into a frown. “Philip is fighting?”
I hate the confession before I say it. “Aye, he avowed me so.”
“This is no place for Philip.”
“It is no place for any of us,” I reply. “Most of these men know nothing of swordplay, Jordy. But they will fight to ensure that Malek never becomes king of Timberness.”
“Aye, there is a bit of truth in that, Milla. But if I am an honest man, I must admit that most of them fight for you. And if Philip made that vow, I can’t say that I blame him. I would follow you into the pits of Hell if it was necessary.”
I nod and look again to the road ahead. Soon we will be close enough to see the castle’s towers in the dim light of approaching dawn—the tower that my mother sat inside, misery her only friend. I pray that King Urich, Sir Malek, and the remaining king’s guards are bested quickly, and that our troops suffer no bloodshed for my benefit. And I pray that Philip will be safe.
“Jordy, I have a confession.”
“I’m listening, my lady.”
“I tested my birthright, sought to see if I possess any magic like my mother and father before me. And, it would seem that I do.”
Jordy gives me a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”
“I cast a fire from my hands and commanded the soil at my feet to move, and it obeyed. It was only for several seconds, but it happened. I watched my hand light aflame, but it did not burn me. The fire was power that I created. It held my magic.”
Jordy’s eyes widen. “That is truly amazing, Milla. Surely it can help us in our quest, then. Maybe you can wield it against Malek somehow.”
I am ashamed to admit how truly clumsy I am in my newly found talent. “I will try, Jordy, but I am very much the novice, I’m afraid. I am giving no false hope in the area of magic to aid our effort but wanted to share my intrigues. If I’m honest, maybe you should talk me out of trying to use magic altogether.” I grin and he smiles.
“I’d never take away your magic, Milla.”
And with every piece of my heart, I believe him.
When we are about ten furlongs from the palace, Sir Victor halts the troops. No voices lift in the cold night air, only the sounds from the horses’ nostrils and hooves remains.
“Good men of Timberness,” Sir Victor shouts. “This is the night that you gain your freedom. This is the night that will end the tyranny of Malek. I have it on good authority that as King Urich lies in his deathbed, Malek is already planning a celebration for his own coronation. Dark is the kingdom that bows to Sir Malek. But we have our light, the one true heir of House Starling. And we must protect the princess at all costs.”
“Aye,” several voices ring out at once. “Protect the princess! Protect Milla!”
“We will travel as if we are balancing on feathers for these last furlongs,” Sir Victor shouts again when the men are quiet. “When we are near the castle entrance, two knights will ride ahead. The guards will open the gates, and when they do, we will ride with the force of thunder and storm the gates. Find and surround Sir Malek first and any members of the king’s guard that you see. Harm no unarmed men, women, or children. Malek and his knights are our focus. We will make short order of them, and victory will be ours!”
“Victory will be ours!” the soldiers repeat.
Sir Victor looks to me and nods. I ride up next to him and lift my voice into the biting air, “I am Princess Milla of House Starling, daughter of Queen Millicent and Sir Waylen, and granddaughter of King Girard and Queen Isabel. I am the rightful heir and future queen of Timberness. I will fight beside you, my brothers, and together we will restore my rightful place on the throne, and Timberness to her greatness. Long live House Starling!”
Sir Victor and Jordy lift their swords high into the air, and all the soldiers follow suit.
“Long live House Starling!” Jordy cries out, and the others raise their swords higher in response.
I take in the vision of the blades, their loyalty a brightness in the dark moments that lie ahead. I thank the heavens for their devotion and my gram for lighting the way. We start towards the castle again, moonlight and stars at our backs.
