Day 14

Drake and his parents and some trusted men searched the City Point and asked around for Jessica. But they discovered nothing. Not even a clue. It was late morning when they decided to return to the castle.

Drake was feeling very down, and his parents could see that.

Prince Ryu and Princess Libelle had sent a message to Black Bread Gruff to have Jessica moved to another more secure location in the Town Mel.

This ensured that she could not be found. They wanted her to stay allusive and out of reach to Drake.

Tẽra woke up from the nap Zazo and General Nathan had insisted she take to the sound of dragons. She got up worried that another attack was about to follow. She opened her door to find Zazo standing guard.

“Zazo.” she said surprised.

“My queen.” He bowed.

“Have you been here the whole time?” she asked.

“Yes.” He answered.

“Do you hear dragons?” Tẽra asked him.

“I do. Shall I raise the alarm?”

“Yes.” Tẽra said not willing to take chances or give the missing Dragon Riders the benefit of the doubt.

Tẽra met them at the entrance with a large group of fighters.

“What is the meaning of this?” Prince Ryu demanded offended.

“We were attacked and not one from your tribe could be found. Not one!” Tẽra said coldly.

Drake looked at his parents.

“Did you leave no men to protect the castle and my betrothed?” he asked.

They looked at each other and then Libelle answered.

“We wanted to help you find Jessica. Every available man came to help in the search. What we did was an act of love.”

Libelle looked at Tẽra “It appears you have made many enemies. They will take any opportunity.”

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Tẽra looked at the intimidating princess. Who so calmly had a ‘good’ reason for moving her army out?

“So, it was coincidence that as you leave, I am attacked?” she asked being straight with her.

“As I said, you must have many enemies waiting for any opportunity.”

Tẽra was not intimidated.

“An opportunity you created.” Tẽra stated.

Princess Libelle and Prince Ryu had a brief look of indignation.

“Confine them to their chambers. Until they return home, or until the peace conference is concluded.” Tẽra ordered.

She looked them both in the eyes.

“We wouldn’t want any opportunities to present themselves again, now, would we?” she asked.

Drake objected.

“They are royalty, confining them like prisoners is unfitting.”

“Griffith and Victoria are dead.” Tẽra said.

“How?” Drake asked.

“They tried to kill me.” Tẽra replied.

Drake remembered his parents talking with Griffith.

“Am I confined to my room?” he was offended on his parent’s behalf.

“No, you earned my trust. But your parents lost mine. I am sorry that this makes things uncomfortable for you. But I want peace and I am not inviting people into my house so they can kill me. If you are not genuine about making peace and bonding with me, say so now. I will set you free and there will be nothing to fear from me. I will release you.”

Drake looked at the tired queen, who cried when her friends died and honored all the slain as though they were nobles. Her eyes were sad, but she held herself as if nothing could touch her. A queen that was moving the land into a new era, that was scary, as fighting was all some knew.

“I am with you. I am a man on my word. When shall we bond?” he asked.

“Are there any customs that you want in the ceremony?” Tẽra asked.

Drake was surprised at this. It was customary that the one in a higher positions, culture and customs were used. It was not usual that someone of a lower rank would be asked if there was a custom, they wanted.

“Where a red dress.” Drake said.

This surprised Tẽra. Red was not a normal wedding dress color.

“I will.” she agreed.

“When would be best to hold the ceremony?” Tẽra asked.

Drake was surprised she was asking him.

Tẽra waited for an answer. She was getting the feeling that asking him was not the ‘done thing’.

“You are going to be king. We might as well start things off as partners. Equals in decision making.” Tẽra said.

Drake was impressed by this.

“We should do it as soon as possible. Bonding will bring stability and end the fighting.” Drake answered.

“Shall we invite the kingdom or have a small private ceremony?” Tẽra asked.

“Invite all the leaders and important people. They need to see for themselves and have not doubt that the news is true, and not a nasty rumor.”

“Nasty rumor?” Tẽra asked liking how honest he was.

“I mean no offense.” He said.

“I have taken none.” She replied realizing that it was too soon to joke with him.

“I will have the invites sent and in.” Tẽra had to think about how to phrase it “in seven days we will bond.”

“Let it be as you have said.” Drake said.

Tẽra watched as Drake left. At least he was good looking. If she was to marry a man she didn’t know, a good-looking one was preferable. She knew she would have to one day, marry someone and love would not be part of it. But she had always hoped that love would be part of it and so she rejected all her gran’s suitors. She wanted to be like her dad and marry for love. But in her heart, she knew it wouldn’t be that way for her and now it was as her gran wanted. She was getting married for the betterment of the kingdom not for herself. It was an alliance, and she knew the duties involved.

She had tried to make her sentence less by refusing the suitors and letting herself get older and less appealing age wise. Making her chances of someone liking her for her higher.

Tẽra wondered how much trouble her in-laws were going to be. She was sure they were part of the assassination attempt. Pulling out their army when they did.

She had to kill a man and it was haunting her.

Tẽra declared that the dead would be honored that evening, and the preparation should be done immediately.