the Doomflower

Prologue

“One is born into the arms of a midwife in the cold of the North.

Other is born into the arms of a healer.

One is ice, Other is rain.

There is not one without the other.

Both heirs,

one forced by blood and other by skill.

Together they become a sword and board.”

Castle of Meridia, House of Caeli - Anna

The throne room stands in heavy silence; the kind that you can nearly feel with your fingertips. The noblemen stand still, whispering among themselves and stare at the middle of the room where a woman stands alone. Her white hair is simply braided and pulled up onto a bun, her dress is light blue with long droopy kind sleeves. The door opening behind the throne cuts into the silent whispers and the noblemen bow as the King and Queen of Aslya step into the throne room. The woman standing in the middle lifts her eyes to them and slowly curtseys. The King sits down, Queen right after him and then everyone stands up straight again. The King’s eyes travel through the room before he lays his eyes onto the woman.

“Anna, House of Tulia.” The woman nods and looks at her King straight into the eyes.

“Are you aware of the accusations that have been brought to my…” He stops, clears his throat, and looks over to his Queen “Our attention?” The Queen turns her eyes to the woman in front of them. She lowers her gaze and nods delicately.

“You have briefed me of the said subject yourself, my King.” The King rubs his nose like it itches and then slowly asks

“Has there been any attempts by anyone that would have wanted to talk with you about this?” The woman lifts her gaze again but notices the King watching someone behind her. She bites her lip, inhales deeply and nods, admitting.

“Yes. Prince Kalen.” The King nods at her words and looks at the Queen who waves her hand so that Prince Kalen steps to the middle floor. Everyone watches him for a while in silence, everyone except for the white-haired woman who determinedly watches forward. The Queen’s voice is soft yet loud enough so that everyone in the throne room hears her when she says,

“You and I spoke of this in length son.” The Queen glares disappointedly at her son. He steps forward and says loudly,

“No. You spoke, and I was forced to listen. You spoke and I was not allowed to disagree.” And as he says those words the King bangs his staff against the tile floor, “Silence!” He orders and the echo travels across the throne room. The young man clears his throat, falls into silence but the young woman next to him says with a clear voice,

“My king, I want it to be known that I have not pursued this matter since we spoke.” The Queen nods as the King looks over to her.

“It shall be noted.” He says and then looks over at the scribe who is scribbling over a parchment next to him while the Queen silently says,

“Anna, House of Tulia. We have been briefed and we have had a conversation about how to pursue this matter. All our advisors have been briefed in the matter, in as little as possible detail mind you. As it is known, Mayla, House of Hertha is now Prince Kalen’s fiancée. The engagement announcement is tonight. And due to the sensitive nature of things, there is no place for a…” The Queen’s voice cuts in search of a word, but the King fills the silence without hesitation,

“Royal whore.” The Queen rolls her eyes but does not correct him. Anna lowers her eyes again and nods as the audience gasps from surprise,

“What is my punishment?” Tears drop onto the floor and the nearest noblemen can see how she tries to fight the tears away.

“There should not be punishment for being in love!” Prince Kalen shouts and Anna turns over to him. He looks at her and is about to move closer, ready to take her into his arms, proves his love; but she slaps him across the mouth.

“You dragged me in here, from my childhood home. You knew how this would end. You must grow up, right now. You have a duty!” Her words are like hisses and the noblemen lean forward slightly so they can hear every single word.

“Anna is right, you know, Kalen.” The Queen says and nods at the guardsman next to her who then steps in and stands in between Anna and Kalen. The Queen watches Anna closely and then turns her eyes to the King as he speaks.

“Be it known that Anna, daughter of Andine, House of Tulia is now banished from the city of Meridia and thus from any House of Caeli castles and estates in the country. You have this evening to gather your things, say farewell to those who you wish and leave before the city gates close.” The King’s voice is almost drowned by Prince Kalen’s screams and cries, but Anna’s voice carries over it seemingly without any trouble,

“Thank you.” She curtsies deep and slow as the Queen stands up, walks down to her, and puts her hands on her shoulders.

“I wish you all the happiness in the land my dear.” She says and starts escorting Anna to the doors, and to Anna’s surprise whispering into her ear

“Remember the prophecy. Never forget to secure your back. Best to leave no sign of you, House of Hertha is known for their assassins.” Anna makes barely visible nod and looks up to her Queen,

“Thank you.”

“Go and be safe.” The Queen says quietly and pushes her out through the doors.

“Kalen, let her go!” Anna hears the King shouting and hurries into her rooms without looking back.

Suttela, West of Mount Tsih - Anna

The dream breaks off as she feels a hand on her shoulder, opens her eyes and meets a worried face above her.

“You were restless and muttered in your sleep.” A man leaning onto his arm looks alarmed. “Again.” She sits up on the bed and whispers,

“I’ll be fine in a minute.” She hears him laying back down and then whispering,

“Lay down here.” His voice is deep, and he pulls her back down, her head laying down onto his chest.

“You are safe, you are with me now.” His warm arms around her she sighs and smiles,

“Yes I am.”

Castle of Meridia, House of Caeli - Sayth

A troop of soldiers are escorting a wagon pulled by two brown battle cats onto the courtyard of the Castle of Meridia, the current capital of Aslya. The capital changes depending on which House is leading the country and yet only the elders remember the times before House of Caeli was on the throne. The city of Meridia sits in a bay near the Sea of Ice, leading and controlling the trade market. The Castle of Meridia is old, standing on a rocky hill throwing a long shadow towards the village and the walls below, the sea crashes against the floodgates, eating them little by little with the salt and cold.

The wagon stops in the courtyard, and a young woman pushes her face against the window.

“This? This is the Castle of Meridia?” The low, nearly growling voice of a young woman carries through the walls of the wagon.

“This is your new home my dear.” Man’s voice answers. The soldiers sitting on the riders’ seat smirk at each other and sit up straight as the wagon doors open.

“Father, this is… Like a cage.” Woman’s voice is desperate.

“And you’ll make it your little cage. As a Queen.” The man steps out to the courtyard and sniffs the air.

“Although, the sea breeze here is not quite as fresh as in Kavos. I guess you'll get used to it.” The man clears his throat as the doors of the Castle open abruptly and the King steps out under the autumn sky. The man bows and the young woman curtseys as soon as she lays both of her feet on the ground.

“My King, so good to be here again.” The bow is short, but long enough for the King to approve and he smiles,

“Memorthes, my friend. Come, come inside. The chill is setting in my bones just by looking at the sea! The young ones will love each other.” The King’s speech is light, and he steps towards the doors offering his arm to the other man.

“My men, at ease. Mayla, follow us in when you’re ready.” His voice is clear, and the young woman looks behind her, half the men waiting for orders.

“Sayth, choose two men to carry my things then follow me and rest at ease.” She then turns around and walks after her father and the King through the dark wetland grim made doors.

“Your rooms are ready, right this way if you may.” The maid is waiting for her inside and motions towards the left side of the grand staircase.

“Did my father leave me a message?” Mayla asks and looks up at the stairs, the maid shakes her head,

“Just asked me to see you settled in your rooms my lady.” Mayla’s green eyes look up at the stairs again and she nods,

“Lead the way.” Mayla smiles and the maid looks delightedly at her,

“They’re the most beautiful rooms, I am sure you’ll like them!” Mayla looks over her shoulder and sees the soldier behind her looking back at her.

“I am sure I will.” She says quietly and rolls her eyes at the soldier behind her. He raises his eyebrow but does not say anything.

As they step in the rooms Mayla looks around her carefully. She puckers her lips in distaste.

“White?” Her voice is quiet, but the maid catches her tone and hurries to explain,

“Prince Kalen decided that it would be best for you to decide on the colour for your rooms. He was not sure which one was your favourite. We can change everything except the tapestries, King’s orders.” Mayla turns around and stares at the ghastly old, faded coloured tapestry.

“What is it about?” It is the soldier who answers before the maid,

“Scene from the Black War. My grandfather told me of it when I was younger.” Mayla sneers and smiles widely as she sees her trunks and luggage arriving.

“Ah finally! Can you arrange for me a hot bath so I can wash the trip’s dust off me?” The maid nods and closes the door behind her after the soldiers who brought in the trunks and luggage take a stand outside the door. Mayla and the soldier look at each other, feeling calm but knowing it will break as soon as they speak. And they must speak.

“I wanted to speak with you before we had to leave here.” Mayla says quietly as she watches the room carefully. The soldier clears his throat and looks up at her carefully.

“Is there something unclear between us?” The man’s voice is calm, and he answers her stare calmly as she turns to him suddenly. She clicks her tongue and says,

“I thought there was something… Some feelings?” He lowers his chin and nods once. She hurries off, “When my father announced I am to be married off without my own voice being heard. I wanted you to… Well fight for us a little at least.” Her green eyes look straight to him and he turns his face away from her.

“You know there is nothing I can do when your father makes a deal with the King. Not in this world we live in, maybe in some children’s stories...” Man’s voice is now chilling as it fades away, and her eyebrows raise up in question.

“So, you're saying I live in a dream?” Her voice is full of disappointment and the soldier tries to stay calm,

“Sometimes Mayla, I think we both thought we were.” Mayla laughs maniacally and shrugs her shoulders,

“Well, it looks like I better get over it rather soon, don’t you think?” There is a short silence as he looks at her and lets his shoulders drop a little as she walks to the other side of the room, watching everything closely.

“If there were a way or a reason for me to try and stop your father, know that I would have tried.” His words hit the walls and she crosses her hands in front of her chest saying,

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore does it? My father decided this for me. It was not even my turn to marry yet! I am the youngest of us. I was in the belief I would have my free choice, to love whomever I want.” She sits down on a chair and looks outside the window. “So, you have decided? You are not fighting for me? Us?” Her voice is trembling, and he shakes his head as he quietly says

“I do not think either of us have a chance to change your father’s…” He spreads his arms, “or the King’s mind.” She nods absent-mindedly and then says loudly

“I have now decided to relieve you from your position as a head of my guard. You are a free man as they say.” The man glares at her showing no signs of being surprised and bows at her, moving to the door as he says,

“Very well. I wish you all the happiness Mayla.”

“Is that all you have to say to me, Sayth? After all these years?!” Mayla’s voice rises as he closes the door behind him and hands over his badge to the man outside the door who looks at it for a moment before placing it on his own sleeve.

“I wanted your position but not like this. What are you going to do now?” Sayth smiles at the guard and says,

“Now I can go do what I am meant to be doing.”

“And what is that Sayth?” The guard smiles back at him and asks curiously.

“Live my life.” He says over his shoulder and waves his hand as he walks towards the grand staircase.

As he takes the stairs down, he notices a crowd entering the throne room. He nods at a guard nearby and asks what is happening. The guard raises his eyebrows in question,

“Where have you been?”

“Arrived with Lady Mayla from Kavos earlier today.” The guard clicks his tongue unimpressed, looks at him from the top to bottom and turns to watch the crowd that slowly makes its way into the hall. Sayth looks at the guard who says quietly,

“The Prince’s whore is waiting for her judgement. I wager she’ll be losing her head today.” Sayth grunts and walks along the crowd into the throne room. He steps in, watches how the guards close the doors, then turns around, seeing a white-haired woman in the middle of the hall, alone.

He falls into his thoughts until he hears the King say

“Royal whore.” Sayth shakes off last of his thoughts and listens to the rest of the conversation. The Queen escorts the young woman to the doors and Sayth hears her say,

“Remember the prophecy. Never forget to secure your back. Best to leave no sign of you, House of Hertha is known for their assassins.” The young woman nods and whispers something Sayth cannot hear and sees how the Queen smiles gently,

“Go and be safe.” The Queen says quietly and pushes her through the doors, then looks up at Sayth for a short moment before returning to the throne. Sayth hears how the young man struggles in the hands of the guards and in the same second, he decides to step outside the room before the doors close again and he hears behind him how the King barks orders and most importantly,

“Kalen, let her go!” He stands in the middle of the entrance hall and listens; steps echoing in the upstairs. He turns to the right and takes the stairs up, hurrying his steps. As he gets to the top he looks over the railing, calms his breathing and hears,

“Be fast and leave no sign of her.” A man says as he peaks over the railing and notices three guards who are listening to the fourth. The King will not let her go. He turns around, looks across the hallway and sees the woman stepping in one of the rooms of the second floor. He leaps after her before he thinks more of it.

He knocks on the door as he reaches it and looks over his shoulder, making sure no soldiers are at sight yet.

“Who is it?” The woman asks as she opens the door slightly.

“Someone who is trying to save your life.” He says calmly, pushing the woman back inside the room and locks the door behind him.

“The King is not gonna keep his word? I should have known. At least I am half prepared for that.” He listens to her as he pulls a dresser in front of the door to block it.

“That’ll keep them for a minute. Is there a secret passage?” He asks and looks behind the tapestry beside the fireplace.

“Yes, but that won’t help us. It is connected to the Queen in Waiting rooms.” Sayth stops for a second and chuckles before saying quietly,

“She is from the House of Hertha; she wouldn’t let us go.” The woman grunts and opens the window.

“I do not think we have a choice.” She looks over the edge and grabs her satchel from the chair. He walks up to her and looks down,

“No, we do not.” Her blue eyes meet with his light-coloured ones and she tilts her head.

“I am Anna.”

“I am Sayth. Let’s go then.” He helps her on to the table, watches that she safely grabs on to the vines along the castle wall and then swings himself out, closes the windows behind him and climbs down after her.

“I know a path through the servant roads to the gates. Think we should take that?” She asks quietly and turns towards the servant side of the castle's ground floor like she does not expect an answer, but he takes her hand and shakes his head slowly.

“No, they’ll expect it. Let us walk through the main one, we might be able to blend in the crowd.” She stares at him for a moment, then nods at his words and pulls the cloak’s hood up, hiding her white hair and grabbing her little satchel harder.

“It’s bold but could work better than sneaking around.” She whispers and so they join the main road that is crowded as any city road is during late afternoon.

Suttela, West of Mount Tsih - Sayth

Sayth lays in the bed and lets the memory drop from his mind as he listens to the silence of the cabin and holds Anna tightly. I am so happy you are with me. His thought floats in the air and he feels how Anna’s dreamy hand rubs his chest, letting him fall asleep for a few more hours before the morning arrives.

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