Sunlight was not what woke me this morning, but the sound of Sir Esteve’s armor thrashing about the room. There were no candles lit, yet a light brightly came into view. From the Knight’s neck hung a gold amulet that shone with a luminosity I have never seen before. It was similar to starlight, focused and concentrated. Unlike Theora, Xosta is known for its many magics; this must be one of them. I have never seen magic this closely before; it is beautiful. Suddenly the guided light pointed toward me. My eyes pulse with tension adjusting to the bright light in the room.

“What is that light from your neck?” I ask in a groggy voice. Hanging his head, he does not respond. Slowly Sir Esteve opens the bed-chamber door, waiting patiently for me to walk through. Much to my dismay, Sir Esteve’s morning face was concealed by his dark helmet. I always enjoyed seeing my brother’s befuddled state in the early mornings. Even though I doubt Sir Esteve is as delightful before the sun rises, it makes me wonder. What he could be hiding under all that iron?

Seeing that my proxy had fallen silent again, I follow his orders. Slowly I rise and prepare for my long journey to Xosta. My limbs feel like they are moving through quicksand as I tie my cloak around my shoulders. Still waking up I let out a soft yawn, releasing some of my exhaustion.

Making a mental note of everything, I see that all of my belongings have been taken. The servants must have come while I slept to put them in the carriage. I turn back one last time in the door frame, as a farewell to the bed-chamber I grew to love over the years. I have never seen my room so empty. A sore feeling aches in my heart that this room will most likely remain empty while I am absent from the castle.

A draft from the hall sends a chill through me like it is pushing me to move forward. There is no point in lingering now. My new life has already begun. As Sir Esteve said last night, I am ‘Prince Galleren’s property’ now.

Gripping my green cloak I shiver, with a heaviness in my heart. I can’t be homesick already, I haven’t even left yet. Even so, my heart aches looking at the castle walls for the last time. Seeing the view of the Kingdom just outside the windows. Watching my brother take his first steps in my Mother’s chambers. All these happy memories that I have had here, feel as if they are being taken from me. Just as I was about to lose myself in sorrow, my Mother's words ring in my head. ‘You were born with the heart of a Theoran. Don’t let them change that’

As we come to the gates, there are no servants to see me off. It was out of the ordinary for the castle to feel this empty. No doubt this was Sir Esteve’s doing. The cruel nature of Prince Galleren cutting me off from my family sends a pit into my stomach. I need to grow a thicker skin if I am to endure more of this.

Our driver greets us warmly, opening the side door for his travelers. Stepping inside the carriage interior is dark, lined with silk. As the two of us take our seats Sir Esteve’s amulet illuminates the carriage to reveal blue and gold detailing that was covered by the morning darkness. This is one of the family carriages we would take into town. It brings me a small comfort knowing that a little piece of home will be with me for part of the journey.

With his right hand, Sir Esteve twists the pendant of his necklace making the light disappear from his chest. He hits the side of the carriage, signaling the driver that we are ready to depart.

As the horses trot off, I stare out the window at the castle. Taking in the details of the stone, the ivy growing up the walls, and even how the moonlight shines on our Kingdom’s flag. Looking at the place I grew up brings a feeling of hope and strength. So much is at stake with this alliance. I must remain strong, and hopeful that Xosta will provide the protection we need to survive. The future of my family and all of Theora depends on it.

🜃

The ride to the port was long and taxing. I tried to get some sleep on the way there, but I failed. Between the anxiety of travel and the rocking of the carriage on the bumpy roads, it was a losing battle.

Draytane Port is the closest harbor from Theora. Many of our goods are traded there. Every few years my Father would visit to check in on our Kingdoms suppliers. It was important to be active with our traders, especially in times like these. The people of Draytane are in a small number, but their resources and connections are extremely valuable.

As we enter Draytane Sir Esteve straightens his posture, making sure all of his armor is tightly secured. The sound of the horse’s hooves changes as we proceed through the cobblestone streets. There is all manner of people walking through town. Mostly human, but out of the corner of my eye I find a Sandserpant.

These tall creatures have the appearance of a snake, but walk and act like humans. The legend is that long ago a human tribe was cursed by a witch for killing one of her pet snakes. Out of revenge, the witch cursed them and their progeny for all eternity to appear like the snakes they disregarded. I don’t know how much truth is in that tale, but there is a saying that my mother once told me ‘All tales are based on truths’.

They are extremely rare among these lands, but every so often they travel through and can be found in port towns such as this one. Their scales come in many shades and designs. From what I can tell, this one appeared to be female. You can always tell the sex of a Sandserpant by the marking at the crown of their forehead. Males tend to have strong bold stripes starting from the top of their forehead, all the way down their spine. Females have light delicate swirls that frame their eyes and cheeks and connect in the center of their forehead. They are a stunning species to look at.

The Sandserpant is tall with gold and green scales running all down her body. Her slender frame made her legs look like they could go for miles. The orange and yellow of her eyes reflected off the sunlight so beautifully they could be gemstones. As I continued to gawk at her beauty, we accidentally made brief eye contact with one another. I waved gently with a small smile, but she did not seem to notice me. She seemed like she was distracted as if she was in a hurry. There are a lot of ships that leave this port. It is possible that she has a boat to catch.

My admiration for the female Sandserpant was cut short when our carriage stopped at the marketplace. Our driver hastily left his seat to open the door for us.

“We have arrived at Draytane Port. Please step this way, your highness.” The driver reaches out his hand to me as a support to step safely to the ground. Before I could touch the driver’s hand, Sir Esteve intervened, smacking his hand away.

“No touching.” He growls. Stepping out of the carriage the knight takes a sack of coins and hands it to the driver forcefully.

“My apologies, good sir I did not know-” The coachman quivers. The black knight shakes his head ignoring him, and looks at me. “Let’s go.”

Leaving the carriage I acknowledge the driver for his service, but my words of affirmation didn’t seem to ease him from Sir Esteve’s harshness.

“Why did you do that? There was no need to put your hands on him.” I was frustrated. How can he treat people like that? I would never imagine speaking that way to a servant.

Clearing his throat, the Knight lets out an annoyed sigh. “How many times must I say it? You belong to Prince Galleren. Therefore he is the only man permitted to touch you. Now shut your mouth before the ship leaves port without us.”

I was flabbergasted. No one has ever spoken to me like that before. I can taste the bitterness for Xosta growing in my mouth. I must swallow my pride. ‘Be gracious’ I remind myself. Taking in a deep breath in my nose and out my mouth, the bitter taste leaves my palet.

As the two of us walked through the Marketplace, I could see the tall masts of the ships just ahead. The streets were filled with all types of goods. Every fruit, vegetable, and meat I could think of was there. My mouth began to water as we passed a strawberry farmer. I have loved strawberries since I was a little girl. They are in my opinion, the perfect fruit.

While Sir Esteve isn’t looking I quickly pull two silver from my pockets and give them to the humble farmer. “A bushel of your best strawberries please.”

The woman stall keeper smiles while taking my coin. “Coming right up!” quickly she shuffles through her stock and pulls the most beautiful box of strawberries I have ever seen. Each one was perfectly supple, red and ripple. “Here you are, miss. Enjoy!”

With an eager grin, I take my berries thinking about how delicious they must taste. Turning back I am surprised to see that Sir Esteve is nowhere to be found. He couldn’t have gone too far. Head toward his previous direction I search the market for him, but he is nowhere to be found. A pit in my stomach sets in. Did he board the ships without me?

Slightly panicked I quicken my pace toward the ships ahead. Seeing a fishmonger along my route, I decided to ask him for aid. Perhaps he has seen him.

“Excuse me, have you seen a large knight in ebony armor?” Busy with business the man shakes his head. From his manner, I could see that he was only half-listening. Not giving up I try again. “Please Sir, have you seen-”

“Listen lady!” he snaps “Maybe I did see him, but If you aren’t going to buy something then leave.” His disrespectful tone lit a fire in my belly. Clenching my teeth I bite my anger.

All of my coin is packed away on the boat by now. I just had to buy those strawberries… I am starting to regret my carelessness. I have to keep moving if I am going to find Sir Esteve in time to board.

Pushing through the last of the crowd I find myself at the harbor. Ships of every size lined up on the water. Most of them are for cargo no doubt. Frantically I walk along the dock looking aimlessly for my knight in dark shining armor.

After a few moments of searching and asking the occasional townsperson, I still was not successful. Fear sets in as I realize what these strawberries might have cost me. What if the ship left without me? It will take at least two weeks for them to send another ship. What if they break off the alliance because I didn’t board? My heart jumps out of my chest when I am pulled backward by a strong metal grip.

“There you are!” Furiously Sir Esteve drags my arm down the docks. I never thought I would ever be happy to see Sir Esteve until this moment. Promptly we ran till we came to a large ship with dark red sails and black stained wood.

Sir Esteve did not let go of me for a moment, even as we were boarding. His hold on my arm was too tight for comfort. “Sir Esteve, you are hurting me!”

My words only seemed to make his grip tighter. Silently he dragged me inside the hold of the ship to a small room with two beds. There was not a window to be seen. Without the lantern lit in the corner I fear the room would have been pitch black.

Slamming the door behind him he throws me inside. As I cross the threshold a waft of damp air tickles my senses. The warm ocean breeze seeping through the cracks of the planks around us. Nearly losing my balance I hold my sore arm, pulsing from the relief of the knight’s grasp.

“You didn’t have to be so rough. I thought no man was allowed to touch me anyway...”

“When the Princess is disobeying direct orders, there are exceptions.” he sneers. Has he no heart under that cauldron?

Coming down from my anxiety I take a moment to look around the room. I recognize a few of the things that I packed from last night. As I walked toward my things the creaks in the floorboards followed me with every step. Looking through, I notice one of the bags I packed is missing. The one with the broach was nowhere to be seen. Glancing at Sir Esteve, he is standing still guarding the door.

Straightening my skirt I lift my head nobility. “One of my bags is missing.” Sir Esteve continued his solemn stance like he was deaf. When I attempt to walk past him out the door, he extends his arm blocking my path. “I need to find my bag. Please step aside.”

Moving tighter against the door frame he says, “You are not leaving this room till we set sail. I won’t risk you running off again. You can wait till morning. I suggest you make yourself comfortable.”

Why is he so stubborn? It is infuriating! Is this how Prince Galleren is going to be with me as well? I need a drink…

Taking a bottle of wine from one of my suitcases, I pour myself a glass. But before I drink it, the Theoran in me says to offer kindness, it is one of our teachings. I offer the full glass to Sir Esteve, as a gesture of goodwill. Slowly he looks at the glass, for a moment I thought that he would accept my gesture, but disappointingly he looks away. His silent act is beginning to get old. It is his loss. Theora has some of the best red wine in the country. I knew I had to pack a bottle or two before I left. Swiftly I guzzle down my drink savoring in every last drop. With every gulp down my throat, I can feel the tension through my body fade. I hope there is good wine in Xosta… I have a feeling I am going to need it.