11: Lendin
I went back into my room to collect my thoughts and change into my jodhpur (horse riding uniform).I put my sword into its scabbard. I was scared no doubt about it. I had just turned fourteen the night before which according to the laws of the land makes me an adult eligible for courting and for the first time ever, I was leaving the palace on my own not to mention the weird dreams I've had.
I barely ever dreamed before and now I was dreaming about deaths and murders? It didn't make any sense. There was no way I could have made up something like that. Who was targeting me and who was the shadow king?
I was still lost in thought when I bumped into Kayla on my way out of my room.
"My apologies my lady." She said immediately "I was just about to knock." I smiled "It's alright Kayla. There's no need to apologize it wasn't your fault but what were you coming to tell me?" "Oh, your friend has arrived and your horse is ready for your journey. We also packed some snacks, water and medical supplies for you."
I giggled "Thank you but is all that really necessary I'm not even going to be gone that long." "It was the King's orders, I'm sure he is just worried about you." 'He's always worried about me' I wanted to say but I just smiled.
"I guess it's time for me to go. I'll see you when I return." I said and headed for the palace gates where I saw my father and a squadron of knights. 'Geez overprotective much dad?' "Your majesty what is all this? We agreed on a couple of knights. Couple as in two." "Two? That's a small number don't you agree? Besides this is for your own good, the guards are here to protect you."
"Your majesty I'm very much capable of protecting myself, I don't need a whole squadron to protect me. And surely if I can't handle myself Zeke and the two guards can."
That couldn't be anywhere further from the truth, even I didn't believe it at the time but if we were going to be attacked, it was only logical that I brought as little people with me as possible.
My father sighed, I could see his temples throbbing.
"Fine, fine you win. Mark, Charles, go with her, the rest of you go back to work."
"Yes sir." they replied.
"Thank you your majesty." I said "If you don't mind, I'd like to be excused. My friend has waited long enough." I could see my dad mentally face palming himself wondering where he'd gone wrong.
The thought brought a smile to my face.
"Ugh..." father groaned under his breath. "Open the gates. You two, make sure you keep my daughter safe. Should the slightest harm come to her, there will be consequences-swift and unforgiving."
"See you soon your majesty." I said and climbed onto my horse, Mark and Charles following suit. We rode our horses at a trot toward the gates as it opened to reveal Zeke mounted on an ivory, rust stained horse. I had never seen a horse like that before.
"Good morning stranger."
" Morning princess."
"That's quite a protective father you have." "Oh, so you've met the King. He didn't do or say anything out of context I
hope?" Zeke chuckled lightly. "Well he did say some very threatning statements then cursed at nothing in particular before locking me outside. Nothing out of content
though." I grimaced "Yikes, l am so sorry about that. Father can get a little over protective of me sometimes."
"No, no it's alright. There's no reason to apologize, I'm not offended. If anything truly, its wholesome that your father loves and cares about you so much not many people get to be experience that." He said, his eyes distant but bright as though he were reminiscing about more joyful times.
It made me wonder " Do you have that?" "Huh?" he replied snapped out of thought. "Do you have loving parents?" l asked again. "I had. My parents passed away two years ago." He repIied his eyes distant again. I guided my horse to trot closer to his as I placed my hand on his shoulder.
He turned to face me. "I am so sorry to hear that." ? His face faltered and I could see tears welling up in his eyes. "It's okay. It's been a few years, I've had time to heal. " he said, voice deeper. I wanted to argue I felt talking about it more would make him burst into tears so I just gave him the warmest smile I could muster.
"We'll find your aunt, I swear and in the meantime you have me and I promise to be the best friend you ever had."
I had never sworn in my life. If anything I had sworn never to swear ever. And yet, there I was breaking my own rule-for a near stranger. Strange, isn't it?
He smiled. His smile was faint, almost unsure, but it was enough to let a hush of calm fall between us.
"Oh! I almost forgot— I wanted to ask about your horse. It's really beautiful. Do you happen to know where it's from?" I said. "She's pretty, isn't she? But actually, she's not mine—I just borrowed her from a friend," he replied with a small smile.
"That's a shame," I said, eyes still on the horse. "She's got that rare kind of coat you don't forget. I wish I had a horse like that." He gave a small nod, like he was tucking the thought into some quiet corner of his mind. "So where exactly are we going to Zeke?"
"Lendin." He replied.
Oh no! Not Lendin! Of all places why did he have to say Lendin. I hesitated, a quiet gulp betraying my nerves. "That far?" I finally asked. "Mhm. If we hurry we'll get there before noon." He replied. "You heard Zeke we've got to pick up our pace" I said to Mark and Charles, who were still trotting quietly behind us on their horses.
"Your highness, his majesty commanded that we must follow behind you to keep watch." Charles replied. I rolled my eyes, classic dad. "Come on Zeke. Looks like we'll have to lead." I said tugging thrice on the reigns as a signal to my horse to go faster.
"Why do you get so upset when your father takes precautions for your safety, princess? Zeke asked his voice sounded as smooth as honey felt. Rough yet mellow. It was like I was being compelled to spill every little secret held in my soul.
"Because Zeke, when I was little he trained me to he strong- to be a warrior- but then I grow up and he pulls a 180 on me and treats me like I'm more fragile than glass. He's so busy worrying over the what-ifs with remote possibilities and never trusting that good things can actually happen."
"Why are you so certain that good things can happen?"
"Because they do. Like yesterday when I went into the gardens, I could have met an actual thief or someone even worse but I met you. I made a friend and I got to leave the Palace. Those are good things."
"And you're positive I'm a good thing, because?"
"I can feel it."
"It?"
"The good emanating from your heart. Also, it does help that I'm a good judge of character." Zeke grew silent for a while as though he was pondering on my words. Then his features shifted into what I identified playful smirk. "Confident, aren't you? What if I'm trouble in disguise?" I smiled back "Then that's what my men are for silly."
Zeke said nothing in reply to my joke. I wasn't sure if he took it seriously or not but he seemed to be deep in thought so, I decided it was best not to bother him. We rode in silence the rest of the trip with nothing but the wind, birds and our horses making the occasional noise.
It was already noon when we approached the borders of Lendin. I was already exhausted, saddle-sore and desperate for a bed and pillow but I couldn't rest not until I was absolutely certain that Zeke wasn't in a danger. We were about half a kilometer away from the Lendin gates when Zeke suddenly suggested that we walk the rest of the way. Something about how it was faster that way (how could anyone in their right mind think travelling afoot was faster than travelling ahorse).
Regardless of the insanity, I obliged and we began walking. Not long after that however, I started hearing the most unusual noise. It was similar to the one I heard when I met Zeke. It sent an even more unusual chill down my spine. My body instinctively moved closer to Zeke's. Fragments and snippets of my dream replayed in flashes, echoing through my mind.
My fear and angst were eating me alive as I forced the urge to pull on my hair and scream. Instead I clenched my fists and ignored the feel of my nails digging into my palms. My heart hammered in my chest as adrenaline flooded my blood stream.
"What's wrong princess, you look extremely pale?" Zeke was standing in front of me now.
"Your majesty."
"Your majesty are you alright."
"NO!" I screamed as I pulled Zeke away putting myself in his place. In the littlest amount of time, I was met with immense pain as an arrow found its way into my shoulder (where Zeke's chest would have been). Now I was seriously fighting the urge—now impulse—to scream. I looked up in the direction the arrow came from and spotted three archers.
Mark and Charles must have too because Mark started shooting at them while Charles ran to my aid. Mark managed to shoot one of the archers and I saw the other two running away just as my vision started blurring. "Keep your eyes open princess and brace yourself, this is going to hurt." Zeke said as he held my shoulder blade with one hand and the arrow in another. He pulled on the arrow and I was genuinely worried some of my flesh had come out with.
"Ouch that hurts soooo bad!" I whined, my voice at the weakest it has ever been. "You're just lucky it wasn't deep princess" Zeke said, he was smirking again. "You know, you..." I started before going on to pass out.
After I woke up, we met with the Earl of Lendin and the Viscount of Census of Lendin and neither one of them had seen a woman with Zeke's Aunt's description. It was a dead end. We got back to the Palace at dusk and when dad saw my wound and totally freaked out. Needless to say, Mark and Charles lost all honor and I never went out with Zeke again. That was actually how we started writing each other letters.
To be honest, I can't even tell why I love Zeke or how I know I do but I know it without a doubt that I love Zeke Walker and I always will.