15 years prior.

“Anna!” Findarin was looking around the room.

“Anna, where are you?” Findarin passes by a table with suspicious feet sticking out from under the tablecloth. He sees them and smiles to himself.

“Oh dear, where could she be? I may never find her.” A stifled giggle escapes from under the table.

“That is too bad. I will just have to eat these cookies myself.”

The tablecloth shoots up and Anastasia bursts forth.

“That is cheating Fin.” Anastasia pouted with her cheeks puffed out.

“Ah there you are my little Anna. Come along, you did not finish your vegetables.”

With a gasp Anastasia covered her mouth and hid back under the table.

“I don’t wanna.”

“Please, after you are done, we can have those cookies I spoke about.”

The older woman in the room who has only been watching until now finally spoke up.

“The queen told you to stop bribing her with sweets.”

“Oh, come on Nydia, what the queen does not know will not hurt her.”

“But it may hurt you Sir Findarin.”

At that comment Anastasia rushed out from under the table again and stood in front of Findarin.

“I will not let anyone hurt my Fin.”

At that Findarin picked up Anastasia and brought her over to the table where her lunch was. He placed her in her seat and pulled another chair over to sit next to her.

“Will you eat them if I help you?” Findarin leaned over the princess, a warm smile spread across his face.

“As long as I get cookies after.” Anastasia said with a toothy grin.

A heavy sigh could be heard from Nydia

Findarin assisted the princess in finishing her vegetables. She was now content munching away on her reward cookies. Findarin rubbed her soft blue hair. Then went to sit in one of the plush chairs.

“Nydia, when can we spare again?”

“I told you when you are good enough.”

“Come on, you only fought me once. I have gotten a lot better since then.”

“I heard you beat the vice-captain of the guard the other day. Is that true?” Naydia said with a smile.

“Ya he was pissed. After the match he looked like he was ready to slap me. Never mind that I could kick his ass, but he knew not to hit a count’s son outside of a duel.”

“Watch your mouth in front of the princess or I’ll slap you.” Nydia gave Findarin a sideways look not taking her attention away from her work.

“A commoner slapping me. I hear that they cut hands off or worse for that kind of stuff.”

“I have special permission from the queen. She is aware of Sir Frances’s and your potty mouths and was afraid you may pass it along to the princess.”

“Ha, all the more reason for us to spar. You can knock some sense into me.”

“I already told you. Not until you can beat the knight-captain.” Nydia’s tone is firm and unwavering.

“Come on, he fights so boring. The only reason he wins is because I am still young. I just cannot match him in raw power. He is not better than me, his moves are so basic. I know I could win if I was just older.” Frustration written on Findarin’s face

“Someone that was truly skilled would be able to win. Even if they are physically weaker than their opponent.” Nydia said, raising her eyebrow at Findarin.

“Ya ya easy for you to say. You are the strongest person in this castle.”

“That’s a strange thing to say to a lady.”

“You are no lady! I have heard the knights call you the Sword Demon.”

“That is enough! Do not speak about such things in front of the princess.”

Findarin looked over to Anastasia. She was staring at Nydia partly with fear, partly with confusion trying to figure out if Nydia was a demon. Findarin rushed over to Anastasia.

“Anna, I am sorry I scared you.”

As Findarin approached the princess the door to the parlor burst open. Nydia dropped what she was doing and drew a short sword she had concealed on her. She rushed to put herself between the intruder and the children. Several castle knights stormed into the room all fully armed and armored but none had weapons drawn.

“Who would dare come into a room with the princess unannounced and so armed.” Nydia's voice came out calm but clearly filled with fury.

“We have come to remove a traitor. Stand aside, maid.” The knight speaking knew full well that Nydia was more than just a common maid. He referred to her as such to remind her of her place as a commoner.

“Make me.” She gripped her sword in one hand while extending her other to cover the children. Findarin had already pulled Anastasia behind him and had grabbed a knife from the table.

“STOP THIS!” The queen's commanding voice could be heard from behind the knights. The two knights in the center parted to allow the trio to see the queen.

“Nydia, put your sword away now. That is an order.” The queen barked

Nydia looked at the queen and could tell she had no choice, but she knew that something terrible was about to happen and she could not bring herself to release her sword.

“I will not ask you again. Put away your sword.”

Nydia made eye contact with the queen. She could tell right away that the queen herself had no choice right now. She looked over to the children. Only two people in this room could even be accused of being a traitor. The knights were clearly not here for her.

“I will take responsibility for what happens next. You may unburden yourself Nydia.”

Nydia looked back to the queen. She met her eyes and could see the slightest hint of tears. She knew what they meant.

“I will trust my queen with this matter.” Nydia put her sword away and stood at attention.

“Anastasia, please come over to me.” The queen held her hand out to her daughter.

Anastasia gripped Findarin’s leg tighter. She was afraid of her mother right now. She had never heard her speak in such a commanding tone. Findarin looked at Nydia and she nodded slightly. Findarin knelt to Anastasia and hugged her whispering.

“Anna, everything is going to be just fine. You need to go to your mother now.”

“But I want to stay with you, Fin.”

“We can’t right now.”

“AWW...”

Anastasia pouted as she went over to her mother. She was then escorted out by one of the attendants. Once Anastasia was safely away the Queen turned to the Knights.

“Take him, but do it gently.”

A pair of knights started moving toward Findarin.

“You know I could take you both If I wanted.”

The knights froze as Findarin raised the knife he still had in his hand.

“Stand down. Any action you take now will not help your father.” The queen spoke so coldly it sacred Findarin. At the mention of his father, he lowered the knife.

The knights grabbed him and placed his hands in shackles. They almost slide right off his small wrists. The knights escorted Findarin right past the queen. She never met his gaze. They continued with him down the hall and led him to the dungeon.

The next morning two knights came into Findarin’s cell and picked him up roughly and dragged him through the halls of the castle to the Throne room. He was throwing down in the center of the room. His father next to him chained to the floor on his knees. A knight came over and chained Findarin up the same way. Frances dove to his son, falling on top of him. His hands bound behind him prevent an embrace. He whispered into his son’s ears.

“I do this because I love you, go to your uncle in the far eastern province.” The knights quickly pull Frances off his son. The knights vice-captain Hans gave Frances a firm back hand, blood spraying from his mouth.

“Please do not dirty my throne room with that man’s blood.”

Findarin went pale, the voice he heard was unmistakable. The queen had said those words.

“Let us begin, it pains me to be in the same room with this filth.” The queen raised her chin when speaking, ensuring she was looking down on the pair.

“Count Frances Maxwell you have been accused of conspiracy, Bribery, Extortion, slavery and worst of all collusion with the Enemy. How do you plead?

Frances straightened himself up and raised his head to the queen.

“Looks like you finally caught me.” A wicked smirk spread over his face.

“Father, what are you saying? You would never do those things. You would never betray the queen.”

Frances could not look at his son. Hans approached the thrashing Findarin and struck him with his mailed fist. Findarin was not ready for it and his now bloody face hit the floor.

“Vice-captain I said I do not want their blood in my throne room… You know what, it will be easier to just gag the boy. He will not need to speak for this.” The queen commanded.

Findarin rose of his own power waiting for Hans to approach with the gag.

“So, the only way you could win is when I am chained to the floor.” Findarin declared, spitting his loose tooth to the floor at the man’s feet.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Hans raised his hand again.

“WHAT DID I JUST SAY! If you strike him again, I will have you scrub every inch of this throne room for the next year.”

Hans’s face twisted in hatred for this boy, but a wicked smile appeared on his face as he knelt behind Findarin. He took out a cloth and wrapped it tightly around the boy’s mouth ensuring that it was as painful as possible.

“What does it matter? You will be dead soon.”

Findarin started to buck against his retrains as he screamed into the gag. Hans pulled the chains tighter to the floor and latched them on another link ensuring that Findarin had no slack to work with.

“The dog has been muzzled, my queen.” Hans said with a bow, and he took his position in formation.

“Thank you, Vice-Captain. We can now proceed. Before your son so rudely interrupted, you were telling me how guilty you were.” The queen refocused her gaze to Frances.

“Ya that's what I was saying sweetie. I have been playing you all for fools this whole time. The amount of money I have skimmed in my dealings with Count Edmon. The sheer volume of drugs I have passed through Duke Armon’s domain. The number of slaves I have sent out the ports of Count Claymon.”

The room was abuzz with murmurs. Frances named two of the queen’s harshest critics and one of her supporters. To the nobles in this room the traitors’ tentacles were deeply rooted in all corners of the kingdom, all were equally to blame for this failure.

“If your damn shadows had not been closing in on me, I would never have slipped up and tipped my hand to Count Edmon.”

The shadows are not officially recognized by the crown. Their existence however is the worst kept secret of Galand. Even the commoners know of them. They are often used as a catch all boogeyman to scare children into being good.

“I see you are fond of fairy tales for children. No matter, with your guilt admitted there is no need to drag on this farce. Take him away! He will be executed for his crimes.”

Count Edmon spoke up. “My queen should we not have a trial or at least question him.”

“A trial for a man that admits his guilt. Count Edmon you made a lot of money in your trade deals with his companies. What do you hope to gain from the trail? Or are you trying to weaken the case against his guilt so that none of the suspicion falls to you. Should you be here next to him explaining why your dealings have been so profitable.”

“That is not my intention. I only...”

“Good! Then be quiet. I will not allow this to go on in front of this Noble audience, they do not need to hear anymore slander about my loyal subjects.”

Count Edmon had no choice but to back down. As the murmurings about his possible involvement were getting louder.

“Vice-Captain you may remove the traitor but leave the boy.”

Hans nodded and two knights came over to Frances and removed him from the chains on the floor. “May you be repaired for all you have done to this kingdom.” The queen spat out as Frances was removed from the throne room.

Once the door shut behind Frances the rumblings of the gathered nobles would not die down. The Queen raised her scepter and slammed the shaft into the floor.

CLANG!!

The resounding clash of Metal on stone silenced them all in an instant.

“Now for you boy. Your ignorance knows no bounds does it. You seem to have no idea about the schemes going on around you.”

Findarin continued to pull at his retrains. The pain of the metal digging into his soft flesh did not stop him from pulling harder. His eyes were red and bloodshot from both the tears and his seething anger. He had no idea why the queen had turned on his father. They had both done nothing but serve her loyally for his entire life. If not for his father, she would not even be here to look down on him today.

“From your reaction I almost get the sense that you truly did not know what your father has been up to” The queens sighed heavily. “…then you are painfully naïve. I allowed you to be so close to my daughter, I think that is what pains me most of all. As a mother I feel ashamed for my failures in judgment.”

The nobles in the room again could not contain their chatter. The buzz around the room leaned toward sympathy for the Queen. The mothers in the room were able to completely understand the pain she must have felt to put her child in ‘danger’.

At the mention of Anna, Findarin stops tugging on his chains. Findarin thought for a moment about what would happen to Anna. What would she do when she could not see him anymore? Findarin loved Anna with all his heart, she was practically his little sister. He had spent almost every day he could with her since her birth. He had probably spent more hours with her then her own mother. The thought of this backstabbing woman raising his beloved Anna filled Findarin with a newfound rage. This time it was a quiet rage. He straightened his back and met the queen’s gaze with cold hate filled eyes.

The queen gasped ever so slightly at the face her daughter's savior was making. Had she pushed him too hard? Would he ever be able to forgive her? That thought stabbed the queen in the heart. How dare she think of her own forgiveness when she was tearing this boy’s world apart. His hate would be her sin to bear.

“I can see that you were just his tool. A simple-minded boy too stupid to see what was right in front of his face…” The queen lowered her head and covered her mouth. “I cannot”

Pausing for a moment before raising her head again “As a mother I cannot sentence such a young child to death. It is clear he knew nothing of what his father was doing.”

The queen stood up striking her staff to the ground once more.

“Findarin Maxell, you are hereby stripped of all inheritance and title. You shall never again be able to own land or property in my kingdom. I even take your family’s name. You are exiled. Be gone, Findarin.”

The crowd burst into a ruckus over the ruling. The crowd was mostly on the side of the queen but a few chants of death to traitors could be heard.

CLANG!! The queens staff striking the ground this time a pulse of magic released with it.

The queen looked around the room. The sound of her scepter and her glare enough to bring the chattering nobles to heel.

“Because of your fathers high profile crimes, I have no choice but to have you escorted to our kingdom’s borders. Nydia, take any two you deem needed and see it done.”

“As you wish for my queen.”

“The rest of you begone. I need time to process this betrayal.”

The queen started to move to the middle of the room slowly. She watched as Nydia unchain Findarin from the floor and led him from the throne room. The nobles quickly exited as well leaving the queen alone with only a handful of attendants.

“The room is secure my queen.” The attendant to the queen’s side spoke.

The queen barely waited for her attendant to finish her sentence before falling to the floor weeping uncontrollably. She struck and scraped at the hard stone floor. The pool of Findarin’s blood from his early mistreatment just before her.

Nydia and the two attendants that followed her walked with purpose through the streets of the capital. They lead a cloaked Findarin toward the east entrance to the city. They had already stopped by Nydia’s house in the city. There they changed into clothing more suitable for travel and gathered the supplies they would need for the journey.

No one paid the group any mind. They looked like any other commoner women. Their weapons concealed under their many layers of clothing. As the group reached the gate Findarin stopped.

“When will she have my father murdered?”

Nydia clenched her jaw tightly at the boy's scathing question. She thought it best to answer him as honestly as she could. There was no more that could be done to protect this boy’s innocence.

“He will be executed at noon. Since he was convicted of treason it will be in the public square.”

“So, his murder will be made into a spectacle. If they are putting on a show, I wish to see it.”

“Is that all you intend to do?”

Findarin flinched at this question, unable to respond.

“If you go there, you will die as well.”

“You don’t know that. If all I must face are the knights, I can take them.”

“Sure, two or three… maybe more. But there will be dozens and dozens. More will be called once they come under attack.” Nydia knelt before Findarin. Taking his face in her hands

“I cannot let you throw your life away. You mean too much to me…and to Princess Anastasia.”

“What does it matter if I can never see her again.” Tears welling in Findarin’s eyes.

“I know you will see her again. Fate has more planned for the two of you. I am sure of it.”

“Bullshit! My father always talked about fate and look where that got him. There is no fate, but the one you create. I will go create it with these hands now!”

Findarin shook off Nydia's hands. He started to walk back into the city. Once his back was to Nydia she reached around and covered his mouth and placed her other hand on his head. Her hand shone with a faint white light. The two attendants with her tried to act as shields to prevent anyone from noticing the spell. Findarin struggled for just a half second before his eye grew heavy and his body fell limp. Nydia scooped the boy into her arms and headed for the exit of the city.

Hours later, on the road east, Findarin awoke. He looked around him and saw the three attendants sitting around a fire cooking something in a pot. Remembering that Nydia had attacked him and cast some kind of spell, he checked his body over. His hands and feet were not bound, and he seems to be in perfect health. He then noticed the time of day and shot to his feet.

“It is sunset!” The realization of what that means sinking in instantly. Findarin sank back to the ground where he had been.

The three women hung their heads unable to vocalize what they all knew to be going through the boy’s head. After a few minutes in silence Nydia stood up without saying a word. She moved over to Findarin and sat next to him. When he did not respond to her presence, she moved to take his hand in hers. Again, he was unresponsive. The pair stayed like this in silence for the next fifteen minutes.

One of the attendants came over and placed two bowls near the pair.

“Thank you, Lilly.”

She backed away leaving them to their grief.

“It is a long road. You will need your strength. Let's eat before it gets cold.”

“Why did you let it happen? You had the power to stop this. I know you did.”

“There is more than one kind of power in this world. You will find the one I wield with my sword is the weakest kind.”

“That is just your cowardice talking. You were just not willing to live with the outcome.”

Nydia winched as if she had been stabbed. She knew he was correct. She could have prevented his father’s death, but the repercussions to those actions would be unknown and far reaching. That is why Frances had agreed to this course of action to begin with. While the outcome was tragic it was known and ‘manageable’.

“You are correct that your father is dead because of me, but not because I did not save him today. That is just another one of my failures.”

Findarin looked at Nydia, he had never seen her like this. The Nydia he knew never dipped her head in defeat. She always held her head high. Even when the rules of society dictated, she lower herself to her ‘betters’. She always seemed to be above them. So why now would she look so defeated and so broken.

“I am the master of shadows.”

“Mistress you mustn't.” Lilly spoke in opposition but was silenced by the raising of her mistress’ hand.

“I should have seen this plot coming. It was too well planned, and I was complacent in my duties. I have no excuse. I am prepared to repent with my life if you ask me to.”

Findarin looked at the strongest woman he knew, hanging her head as if she was weak. The rage in his heart screamed at her. He wanted to tell her to do it. If she is so pathetic and useless then just end it. At least then he would not have to look at her like this anymore. Findarin exhaled slowly.

“More death would not solve anything. It is just your cowardness showing again.” He turned from Nydia unable to look at her like this.

“Ha to be called out as a coward twice in such a short amount of time.” Naydia lips curled into a self-pitying smile.

“If you don’t want to be called out, then stop acting like one.”

“If it was only that simple. I am nothing like your father or the queen.”

“Do not speak as if my father is anything like that BITCH!” Findarin was no longer able to keep the anger to himself, it boiled over at the mention of the queen.

“Please do not blame the queen for what happened today. Her hand was forced. If she had not done what she did, you and your father would have both been killed. Any other action and her position would have been damaged, possibly irreparably, putting Princess Anastasia at risk.”

“Then I would have protected her. Playing those games my father was so fond of will never get you anywhere but dead. He is proof of that.”

“Those games your father, and even I play, are not done because we enjoy them, it is exactly the opposite. The reason we play them is to keep you and the princess safe.”

“Well bang-up job you both are doing.” Findarin faced bent in frustration

“How do you figure you are both safe are you not.” Nydia finally was able to look up to him smiling ever so slightly.

“I am not with her. So, she is not safe.” Findarin threw his hands down to his side and leaned toward Nydia.

“I understand your concerns. I have a plan then. I will keep her safe in your stead. When you are stronger you come back and fight me. If you win you can have your old job back. Is that a deal?”

“Well, you are already failing at your job. She is in the capital. You better get moving.``

“I promised the queen I would see you safely to your uncle.”

“I will be fine. I am no one now. What do I need protection from? Anna is still in that place with that woman, she needs you more than I do.”

Nydia could understand Findarin’s feelings. That need to protect the ones most important to you. She had failed him so much already. She could not continue to do so. He was correct that she was not needed for this trip. She was following him out of her own self-loathing, to soothe her own pain. She could not afford to be away for the two or three months it would take to see him to his uncle and back.

“If that is what you ask of me, then I leave now. I have a request for you in return.”

“Fine.”

“Please do not hold onto this anger in your heart for the queen. She loves you as if you were her own son. When you have calmed down, please read this letter.”

Nydia pulled a letter out of her jacket pocket and passed it over to Findarin. He did not move. After giving him a second to take the letter, Nydia finally reached into his jacket and tucked it into his left inside pocket.

Nydia rose to her feet. Her normal compose returned.

“Ladies, I leave him to you. Make sure that the drunk is up to the task of caring for him before you leave.”

Both attendants stood at attention placing their fists over their hearts.

“Yes Mistress.” They said in unison.

Nydia started down the road back toward the capital.

“I look forward to our match when you return. Do not disappoint me.”

Findarin watched her walk away. A torrent of emotion swirling in his chest.