Chapter One
“Come in,” Ellis yelled to whoever was knocking on her chamber door as she walked into the sitting chamber. The door opened to reveal King Evan entering. “Oh, what do you want?”
“Good Morning to you too mother.” Evan smiled as he walked across the sitting chamber to one of the stuffed chairs near the window, plopping himself down and making himself comfortable. “Come talk to me.” Evan indicated for Ellis to sit in the chair opposite his own. He looked quite dashing in brown dragon leather riding clothes.
Ellis rolled her eyes and sighed before finally taking the seat. “I thought we already talked?”
“I know, but I keep wondering…how did you get pregnant?”
“After two thousand years and three children of your own, do I really have to explain that to you?” Ellis shook her head.
“You know what I mean,” Evan frowned. “You enchanted both of us a long time ago so that no children would result from any of our unions with the Kellmorgs.”
“Then how did you have children with Phoebe?” Ellis smiled at her son.
Evan put his hand to his face, looking very thoughtful for a few moments. “How did I have children with Phoebe?”
“I removed the enchantment when you and Phoebe were married,” Ellis informed him.
“You used magic?” Evan looked sternly at his mother. Only the Fairy Queen and the Fairy Princess were allowed to use magic in the Kingdom of Elnara and only King Evan’s witch could use magic in the Kingdom of Kellmorgen.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that!” Ellis waved a hand at Evan. “I had the queen’s permission.”
“Did you?” Evan stared at Ellis. It was hard to know when she was telling the truth. She was so irresistibly beautiful that she found it easy to get most anyone to believe her.
“The queen trusts me.” Ellis got up from her chair and began to walk around the sitting chamber.
“That’s not an answer.” Evan shook his head. You think by now he’d be used to Ellis’s avoiding questions that she didn’t wish to answer.
“I removed my own enchantment when I married Braddock.” Ellis turned and gave Evan a more serious look. “I never really expected to get pregnant.”
“So, your child could be the fae child that was foretold?”
“Yes, your sister, could be the child that this Kafella is looking for.” Ellis instinctively put her hand to her abdomen.
“Do you know for certain that it’s a female?” Evan thought that she would have to use magic to determine the child’s sex.”
“You know that I’ve been using magic on the queen’s behalf,” Ellis answered.
“Have you told the queen yet?” Evan stood up and walked over to where Ellis stood, putting an arm around her to comfort her.
Ellis shook her head.
“Let’s find her now?” Evan suggested.
“I don’t need a baby sitter!” Ellis shrugged off Evan’s arm. “I’ll find her myself.” Ellis headed straight for the chamber door and stomped off, slamming the door behind her without another word.
Evan just looked after her and sighed.
***
“What’s on today’s agenda?” Elizabeth yelled from where she sat in the bedchamber waiting for Lady Alvina to finish lacing her boots.
Vika looked up from the correspondences on the desk in the sitting chamber that had occupied her attention. “After breakfast, there is the full council meeting. Later, you, King Edric, and several others will meet with Kafella.”
“Is he still here?” a voice from the stairway asked.
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head as she turned toward her husband. “Where did you imagine he would go?”
“Oh, I can imagine him going quite a few places,” Edric told her as he walked over and kissed her on the head. Edric was worried that Kafella would talk Elizabeth into something dangerous. Edric definitely thought that Kafella was far too interested in his and Elizabeth’s unborn twins.
“If Kafella hadn’t hidden the Dragon’s Eye in Elnara all those centuries ago, I wouldn’t be pregnant now.”
“Oh, I think giving Kafella credit for your pregnancy is a bit of a stretch, don’t you?” Edric kissed her again, this time on the lips. “How are you feeling today?”
“I feel perfectly wonderful,” Elizabeth replied as she stood up. She looked breathtaking in a light green spider silk dress with a dark brown dragon leather bodice. “And don’t change the subject.” Elizabeth tried to look serious, but failed as Edric swept her into his arms to kiss her properly.
“You do feel wonderful,” Edric smiled as he held her.
“Stop that!” Elizabeth laughed as she pushed him away. She loved him so very much and was ecstatic to be having his twins. “I feel very sorry for Kafella. After heroically secreting the Dragon’s Eye away in order to save the kingdoms in his homeland, he now finds himself displaced by thousands of years from everything and everyone he knew.”
“I have a feeling that we’ve not heard the entire story yet,” Edric speculated.
An armsmen appeared at the top of the stairway putting an end to further discussion on the subject. Vika was closest, so she walked over to see what the armsmen wanted. The armsmen whispered to Vika just in time for her to announce a visitor.
“Lady Ellis,” The pixie announced, moving out of the way for Ellis to enter the chambers.
“We were just heading down to breakfast,” Edric informed Ellis. He didn’t wish to be delayed. There was quite a crowd in the castle and he didn’t want all the best dishes to be gone before he got there.
“I need to speak with the queen,” Ellis looked at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth could tell by the look on Ellis’s face that whatever she needed to speak to her about was serious.
“If you don’t need me…” Edric turned to Elizabeth.
“Go on,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes and gave him a push. “I’ll meet you down there as soon as I’m done.”
“Thank you!” Edric kissed her. “Lady Ellis,” he nodded at her as he walked past her and down the stairway.
“Lady Alvina, you can finish up later,” Elizabeth told her lady who had been busy cleaning in the bathing chamber. “May Vika stay?” Elizabeth asked Ellis.
Ellis glanced at the pixie who glared at her. Neither was fond of the other, but they were united by their unwavering devotion to Elizabeth. “I suppose,” Ellis sighed.
“Would you like to sit?” Elizbeth indicated the stuffed chairs near the windows in the sitting chamber.
“I’d rather stand,” Ellis decided.
“I’ll sit,” Elizabeth told her, moving to one of the chairs while Vika remained in her chair at the desk. “What is it you need to see me about?”
Ellis opened her mouth to answer but stopped as both she and Elizabeth turned toward Vika. The pixie had suddenly gotten up from her chair, knocking the heavy wooden seat over. The sound of it hitting the floor resonated throughout the chamber.
“Are you alright?” Elizabeth asked her secretary.
Vika didn’t reply. She walked closer to Ellis and then stood staring at her.
“What are you gawking at?” Ellis was more than a little irritated.
“You’re pregnant!” the pixie proclaimed.
“How could you possibly know that?” Ellis demanded.
“What!” Elizabeth could hardly believe what she was hearing.
“You’re standing differently,” Vika told Ellis.
“Am I?” Ellis hadn’t thought she was.
“Yes,” Vika nodded. “Your feet are farther apart.” Vika observed Ellis further. “You’re already showing!”
Ellis’s hand immediately went to her abdomen.
“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” Elizabeth interrupted.
“I’m sorry Your Majesty,” Ellis turned to Elizabeth. “Vika is right. I am pregnant.”
“That’s what you’ve been hiding from me!” Everything was now clear to Elizabeth. Ellis wouldn’t let Elizabeth take her hand these past weeks as Elizabeth would have immediately known that Ellis was pregnant and Ellis hadn’t wanted anything to interfere with her mission to help the trainees recover the Dragon’s Eye.
“Yes, it is,” Ellis confessed.
“That’s wonderful!” Elizabeth hurried over to Ellis and embraced her, surprised when Ellis did not look happy. “What?” Elizabeth turned to Vika and saw that she too had a serious look on her face.
“I was once the Fairy Queen,” Ellis reminded Elizabeth.
The smile left Elizabeth’s face for a moment as she realized what Ellis was referring to, but then it returned. “Nothing is going to happen to your daughter or to mine,” she promised, already having seen that Ellis’s child was a female.
“I’d like to be in on the meeting with Kafella if you don’t mind,” Ellis requested.
“Your perspective is always welcome,” Elizabeth smiled. “But first, let’s get some breakfast. After all, we’re eating for two.”
“Or three,” Ellis pointed to Elizabeth’s stomach causing them all to laugh as they headed out of the chamber to join the crowd in the Great Chamber for breakfast.
***
Ivy and Willow entered the Great Chamber to find it full of activity.
“I thought we were early!” Ivy exclaimed looking around at all the tables that were already full.
Willow glanced around the chamber until she spotted the figure that she was looking for and then quickly glanced at the tables. “Look, there’s Archer and Tristen.” She pointed to one of the tables. “Go save us seats and I’ll go grab us some food.”
“Alright,” Ivy agreed. “Make sure to get me some apple bread,” she shouted to Willow as the pair went their separate ways.
Willow hurried over to where Forest stood in the line waiting for food, smiling at the trainees behind Forest as she cut in line ahead of them. She knew that they wouldn’t mind. After all, Willow’s father was the Noble Lord of Knight’s Hall.
“Forest, we need to talk.” Willow tapped Forest’s arm as she whispered to him.
“What is it?” Forest turned upon hearing Willow’s voice. “Where’s Ivy? Is she okay?”
“She’s sitting with Archer and Tristen,” Willow reassured him. “I just thought that you should know that I had to wake Ivy up last night. She was trashing about and making noises. I was getting worried and thought it best to wake her.”
“You did right.” Forest smiled, although he wished that Willow had come and gotten him. “What did Ivy say when you woke her up?”
“At first she didn’t remember where she was…”
“That’s normal,” Forest decided.
“She said that she didn’t remember what she was dreaming so we just went back to sleep.” Willow was concerned and she knew that Forest would be as well. This wasn’t the first time lately that Ivy had to be awakened from some disturbing dream.
“Thanks for telling me,” Forest told Willow as they moved with the line getting closer to the food. “Somethings not right and I’m depending on you to help me look out for Ivy.”
“You can count on me.” Ivy was Willow’s best friend and Willow was more than a little worried about her.
As Forest and Willow approached the tables with plates of food, Forest was happy to see Ivy flashing him a broad smile. He was so in love with her. They were perfect together. He looked forward to the day when Ivy’s father, Lord Avery, would allow them to become betrothed.
“I was wondering where you were.” Ivy pointed to the seat beside her where she wished Forest to sit.
Willow sat across from Ivy, handing Ivy a plate of food. “You were lucky. Lady Sula’s staff was just putting out fresh apple bread when we got to the food.”
Ivy picked up the bread and took a healthy bite. “It’s really good,” she smiled.
“Is it?” Forest picked up a piece of bread from Ivy’s plate and shoved it into his mouth. “Oh, this is good,” he said with his mouth full as Ivy playfully hit his arm.
“Are we going into the village today?” Archer asked Forest. Forest had become the official leader of their little group of trainees now that Prince Ellery would be returning to Kellmorgen and they weren’t exactly sure what Prince Talbot would be up to, now that he had been awarded his knighthood.
“Why don’t the four of you go into the village and I’ll meet you there when I can,” Forest suggested. “I’m attending the council meeting in a little while. Lord Maymar asked me to attend as I’m now First Knight.”
“I’ll wait.” Ivy decided without hesitation. She wanted to spend every minute possible with Forest.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be,” Forest shook his head. “Why don’t you go. I’m sure there’s some things that you’d like to do with Willow without me tagging along.”
Ivy saw the hopeful look on Willow’s face. “I guess you’re right.”
“Good,” Forest nodded. “I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can.”
***
Elizabeth, Ellis, and Vika entered the Great Chamber just in time to see Ellery and Storm walking in, hand in hand with eyes only for each other.
“I confess that girl surprised me.” Ellis smiled as she watched Storm and her Grandson hurry over to where Talbot and Ellyann were seated. Ellis had thought that Storm would use the Dragon’s Eye’s wish to help her mother, Lorna, who was locked in Gateway Castle’s dungeon, but instead she had used the wish to make it possible for Elizabeth to become pregnant.
“So, you don’t mind Ellery becoming betrothed to Storm when they get back to Kellmorgen?” Elizabeth asked. As Ellery was the heir to the Kellmorgen throne, whoever he married would be Kellmorgen’s future queen.
“I think that it’s good that he’s chosen a human,” Ellis decided. “And choosing a commoner should keep the noble families on their toes.” Ellis smiled as she thought about the times that she had been snubbed by the Kellmorgen nobles when she was disguised as a commoner.
“Look, there’s the king!” Vika pointed to a table where Edric sat, waving his hand above his head for them to spot.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to sit with Phoebe,” Ellis told Elizabeth.
“Of course,” Elizabeth nodded, thinking that Ellis most likely wanted to inform her daughter-in-law of her pregnancy. “I’ll see you later at the meeting with Kafella.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Ellis smiled as she headed toward the Kellmorgen queen’s table.
***
It didn’t take long after breakfast for the castle staff to set up in the Great Chamber for the council meeting. In the past, the council meeting consisted of the king and queen, and the ten highest ranking lords in the kingdom. Now the council meeting included the ten noble lords, each of who were allowed to bring someone from their castle or village. Depending on the agendas, noble lords could also have someone enter the meeting to speak on behalf of their agenda items.
Lark was the first one in the chamber. As the First Lord of Elnara, he was in charge of running the council meeting and he liked to be on hand to greet those attending. Elizabeth and Edric would wait in the private chamber off the Great Chamber until everyone was present and Lark was ready to begin the meeting.
“Are we the first ones?” Avery asked as he and Princess Clara walked over to where Lark stood near the meeting tables. Avery always brought his wife with him. He once told Maymar that he needed Clara with him in case he forgot what he was doing or fell asleep as she was sure to elbow him in the side if he did. Of course, his comment prompted Clara to jab Avery in the side with her elbow.
“Yes,” Lark confirmed. “But I expect everyone will arrive presently.”
“Here comes Lord Delford with…Is that Toryn?” Princess Clara wasn’t sure as she had not seen the Master of the Docks at Seaside in quite some time.
“It is,” Lark nodded as he strode over to greet the pair. Just as he reached them, Lord Foster and Lady Fergie entered the chamber.
“Lady Fergie,” Lord Delford gave Lord Foster’s young granddaughter a smile and a nod. “I’d like to introduce you to Toryn, Master of the Docks at Seaside.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lady Fergie extended her hand to the elder elf. “I’d love to have a look at the Explorer some time.” Lady Fergie glanced at Lord Delford as she spoke. The Explorer or a ship like her figured prominently in Lady Fergie’s plans for Lakeland Castle and Village.
“We’ll see,” Toryn gave her a grin. “He liked her spunk. She would be the first Noble Lady to rule a castle now that her brother, Lord Forest, had given up his place as future noble lord to become First Knight in the Order of the Dragon Sword and the future noble lord of Knight’s Hall.
“Everyone’s arriving now so why don’t you all find your seats.” Lark began to direct everyone toward the meeting table in order to speed the process along.
With everyone finally seated, Edric and Elizabeth entered followed by Vika who took a seat next to Lord Sylvan, Dragon Castle’s secretary. Everyone rose to their feet and bowed to their king and queen as the royal pair took their seats at the head of the meeting tables. Once everyone was again seated, Edric stood to address those present.
“Thank you all for being here,” Edric nodded to those in attendance. “I hope that you all enjoyed the festival and ball. I’d say that I was sorry that you didn’t get to see the Transformation Ceremony, but I’m not sorry at all.”
This brought laughter from everyone. They were exceedingly happy for Edric and Elizabeth. It was certainly a greater cause for celebration and had worked out perfectly for Elizabeth and Edric’s niece, Lady Ellyann, who had not really wanted to make the transformation to Fairy Princess, but instead wished to be betrothed to Prince Talbot, the heir to the throne of Mardylla.
“Who’s this stranger we’ve heard about?” Lord Arden of Castle South decided to speak up and ask.
“We do have a visitor in the castle from outside of the kingdoms,” Edric confirmed. He was always amazed at how fast every bit of information got around. “He is connected to the Dragon’s Eye and we will be meeting with him later today to try and determine just who he is and what we will do with him.”
“Let’s get down to the business at hand.” Lark decided to take control of the meeting. “Lord Avery, you’re first.”
Avery began by acknowledging everyone’s complaints over the back log of orders for Castle and Village West’s premiere product, spider silk.
“We’re looking to increase production to keep up with the orders from all the kingdoms,” Avery informed them.
“How will you do that?” Edric wondered.
“We’re exploring in the caverns to see if we can expand the spider chambers,” Avery explained.
“Haven’t you already expanded to the sea cliffs?” Maymar asked. He remembered very well being in the cave that opened to the sea cliff as Avery had almost fallen.
“We’re looking to expand downward,” Avery smiled. “We’ve long suspected that there might be more cavern chambers below the level that we now use.”
“Keep me updated on the progress,” Edric requested, knowing that Lord Sylvan, the castle secretary would correspond with the secretary at Castle West to secure the requested updates on a regular basis.
Next, Lord Oren of Meadowland Castle discussed their need to expand the unicorn breeding program at Meadowland’s renowned stables. He had brought with him Lord Ayremont, Meadowland’s Chief of Unicorns to discuss the matter.
“Unicorns are in high demand in Kellmorgen,” Lord Ayremont reminded all present. “We’re in the process of expanding the stable and paddock complex but the new breeding program will require us to ask that some particular unicorns be made available for breeding purposes.”
“Are we talking about Apples?” Edric smiled. His wild unicorn had produced some of the finest, most unique unicorns in the kingdom, including Elizabeth’s unicorn Lilac, whose iridescent pinkish coat was unprecedented and whose gaits were a wonder to behold.
“Apples is on the list of unicorns that we would like to include in the new breeding schedule,” Lord Ayremont confirmed.
Edric smiled. “I’m sure that we can work something out.”
“Perhaps the first pick of new unicorns for Your Majesties’ twins?” Lord Oren guessed that was what Edric was thinking.
Edric turned to Elizabeth who was nodding, a big smile on her face. “I think you’ve hit the mark with that suggestion.” Edric gave Lord Oren a nod.
Lord Oren, now satisfied that Meadowland’s plan had the king’s approval, retook his seat while Lord Ayremont handed the list of desired unicorns and their owners to Lord Sylvan so that he could have copies made and distributed to the other noble lords before they departed for home.
When it came time for Lakeland Castle’s turn, Lord Foster deferred to Lady Fergie who had accompanied him to the meeting. She explained her plan to use ice from the mountains to transport Lakeland’s bluefish to the markets in Kendoor, Kellmorgen’s largest village on the northern coast of Kellmorgen, near the royal residence of High Castle.
Elizabeth was impressed at how confidently the thirteen-year-old spoke in front of the council. She remembered how nervous she had been speaking at her first council meeting when she was sixteen.
“We need a fast ship,” Lady Fergie explained. “I propose a deal with Seaside Castle for the use of the Explorer. If we are successful in our venture, we could commission a similar ship to be built at Seaside.”
“What do you think Lord Delford?” Edric asked Seaside’s noble lord. “I know that you’ve already heard Lady Fergie’s plan and have had time to think about it.”
“I’m willing to sail the Explorer to Lakeland and take a catch of bluefish to Kendoor on a trial run,” Lord Delford told them. “If we are successful, I propose letting Lakeland purchase the Explorer.”
Lady Fergie looked at Edric to see if he was as surprised by Lord Delford’s proposal as she was. She was happy to see that she wasn’t the only one taken off guard.
“You’d give up the fastest ship in the kingdoms?” Lady Fergie was pleased by the offer, but still very surprised.
“No.” Lord Delford had a grin on his face that told Edric that he had some secret that he was dying to tell.
“Tell us,” Edric prompted.
“We’ve been building another ship,” Lord Delford explained. “It’s based on the Explorer’s design, but it’s much bigger and will be even faster.”
“I can’t believe that my parents haven’t told me.” Elizabeth shook her head. Lord Lifiel and Lady Eve spent most of their time at Seaside Castle and neither was very good at keeping a secret.
“We’ve been building her in a cove just down from the village,” Toryn explained. “She’s almost finished.”
“I’d like to invite Your Majesties to come to Seaside to see the new ship,” Lord Delford offered. “You could sail back north on the Explorer. It would be faster and more relaxing than traveling overland.”
Edric glanced at Elizabeth. He knew that she had planned on using her magic to transport them back north as they didn’t want to risk the overland trip with her being pregnant.
“I’d love to sail back north,” Elizabeth replied for herself and Edric.
“Wonderful!” Lord Delford was quite pleased. “Lady Fergie, I would like to extend the invitation to you as well. We could discuss plans on the trip north.”
Lady Fergie nodded and retook her seat, pleased with the outcome of her first council meeting.
After all the noble lords had a chance to discuss their topics, Lark decided it was time to bring the council session to a close.
“It wasn’t that long ago that I stood here in this very chamber, running the first council meeting of a new Fairy Princess,” Lark began. Everyone in the chamber knew that he was referring to Elizabeth’s first council meeting after she had made the transformation to Fairy Princess. That meeting had become legend as it had been the turning point in the history of all the kingdoms. “At the time of that meeting, we were part of a stagnant kingdom with a fairy race headed toward extinction. Kellmorgen was a forgotten kingdom. Moondylla and Marmorgen were unbeknownst to us fighting a war across the sea. We did not even know of our history in Faelyndra.”
Everyone looked around at one and other, nodding in agreement.
“Today we have the problems of a prospering kingdom. We have three strong allies and trading partners, and the fairy race has seen its greatest population increase in centuries.” Lark picked up his goblet on the nearby table prompting all those present to do the same. “At this time, I would like to say thank you to Queen Elizabeth and King Edric.” Lark raised his goblet toward the royal pair. “It was at that meeting not so long ago that you envisioned Elnara’s future and it is because of you that we now prosper far beyond anything that any of us could have foreseen.” Lark paused a moment and then smiled at his sister and his friend. “Thank you.”
“Thank you!” Everyone joined in, smiling at their beloved monarchs.
Elizabeth and Edric held each other’s hand as they stood. “I’m overwhelmed!” Elizabeth smiled.
“The work isn’t over,” Edric smiled even though he was trying to look stern. “But I guess we could take the rest of today off.”
Everyone applauded as Edric gave Elizabeth a quick squeeze. Everything was going so perfectly. Now if only this Kafella would just disappear.
As the meeting began to break up, Maymar turned to Lord Forest. “I forgot to tell you that the queen has requested your presence at the meeting they are having with the visitor.”
“Why me?” Forest was surprised to be included.
“The queen was impressed with your skills and would like your opinion of the visitor after the meeting.” Maymar gave his First Knight a swat on the back. “Be back here in two hours.”
“I’ll be here,” Forest assured him as he tried to decide if he had time for a quick trip into the village.
***
Willow and Ivy were having a wonderful time in the village. After dropping their mounts off at the stable, the group had made it to the main square just in time to listen to the clock chime and watch the figures depicting Elizabeth and the red dragon move in and out of the clock followed by a figure of Elizabeth holding the Dragon Sword over her head and lastly, Elizabeth and Edric figures waltzing while the clock chimed the Waltz in A minor that Edric had written for Elizabeth.
The group split up with Willow and Ivy wandering some of the village shops and stopping for an occasional treat from one of the bakeries. Eventually they found themselves near the edge of the village where the blacksmith’s workshop was located. They could see the blacksmith, a muscular elf named Roberyn, working outside, so the pair decided to stop and see what he was working on.
Roberyn immediately recognized Ivy. She had become a bit of a celebrity after her win in the Team Sword match at the festival just a couple of days earlier. She had defeated her much larger opponent from the Kellmorgen team by entering the match area naked from the waist up. Her opponent had been so disoriented by her exposed bosom that Ivy was able to score the needed points before her opponent raised his sparring sword to stop her.
“Lady Ivy and…”
“Willow,” Willow reminded the blacksmith. Willow knew that she wasn’t as memorable as her friend. She decided that it must be Ivy’s red hair.
“Of course, Willow,” the blacksmith nodded. “What can I do for you both?”
“We were just wondering what you were working on,” Ivy told him.
“Come have a look,” Roberyn waved for them to follow him. “I was just finishing up a sword for Lord Owen of Meadowland. He wanted a sword with a unicorn head for a pommel.” Roberyn picked up the sword, holding it for Ivy and Willow to see. “What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful!” Willow thought that Roberyn had done an outstanding job. The pommel looked just like a unicorn head with a twisted horn. “What do you think Ivy?” Willow turned to find her friend just staring at the sword.
Before Willow could say anything else, Ivy grabbed the sword from Roberyn and forcefully pushed the blade into the ground.
“Lady Ivy!” Roberyn couldn’t believe his eyes. “I’ll have to clean it up before Lord Owen comes for it.” Roberyn pulled the sword from the ground only to have Ivy grab it from him and force it back into the ground.
“It’s not working,” Ivy said in an agitated voice, a distressed look on her face.
“You’re so funny!” Willow began to laugh. She continued until Roberyn started to laugh as well. “It was a good joke but we have to get going,” she told Ivy as she slowly pulled the sword from the ground and handed it to Roberyn. Willow grabbed Ivy’s arm before Ivy could make another move for the sword, spinning her around and pulling her back up the road into the village. “Thanks for showing us the sword,” Willow yelled back to Roberyn who just waved as he tried to figure out what the joke had been.
When the pair was out of sight of the blacksmith, Willow grabbed Ivy and began to shake her. “Ivy, wake up!”
“What happened?” Ivy suddenly jumped, looking around her as she tried to get oriented.
“We were looking at a sword that Roberyn had made and you went into some sort of trance,” Willow told her. “It was like you were asleep.”
“Well, Roberyn can be quite boring,” Ivy smiled, not wanting to think about what had happened.
“You’re right,” Willow decided it was not the time to press the subject. “I almost nodded off myself.”
“Why don’t we go to The Dragon’s Eye tavern and get something to eat,” Ivy suggested.
“Let’s go,” Willow smiled. She would tell Forest later what had happened. Something was going on with Ivy and Willow had no idea what it was or how to help her friend.
***
When Ivy and Willow entered the tavern, they were excited to find Tristen and Archer seated in the main dining area with Forest.
“Forest!” Ivy shouted across the dining area as she and Willow hurried toward where the group sat.
“I was hoping that I might find you here.” Forest stood up to greet Ivy. “I don’t have very long. The queen has requested my presence at the meeting with the visitor.”
“What visitor?” Willow asked as she and Ivy took a seat on the wooden bench at the group’s table. She hadn’t heard anything about the visitor.
“I heard a couple of armsmen saying that the visitor had silver hair,” Tristen told them.
“I think it has something to do with the Dragon’s Eye.” Archer thought it was too big of a coincidence that the visitor had shown up shortly after the Dragon’s Eye was found.
“I’ll tell you what I can after the meeting,” Forest promised.
“I’m going to go freshen up,” Willow stood up from the bench. “Forest, you might want to wash up too. Your hands look dirty from your ride.”
Forest was about to protest, but the look on Willow’s face told him that she really needed to talk to him. “You’re right,” he glanced at his hands before turning to Ivy. “I’ll be right back. Order me something good.”
When the pair was out of sight, Forest turned to Willow. “What is it? My hands aren’t dirty.”
“I know. I just had to talk to you.” Willow explained what had happened at the blacksmith’s shop. “It was scary. It was like she was suddenly sleepwalking. Should we say something to Lord Avery or Princess Clara?”
“Not yet,” Forest decided. “I want to see if there’s some sort of pattern to these dreams or if something is triggering them.”
“What if she falls into a sleep state when you or I aren’t with her? I’m worried that she could get hurt.” Willow was obviously very concerned.
“I’ll clue Archer and Tristen in on what’s happening,” Forest told her. “We’ll make sure that one of us is with her at all times.”
Willow nodded, satisfied with this precaution. “We better get back.”
The pair returned to find platters of steaming dishes on the table. “That was fast,” Forest smiled at Ivy as he scooped some stew onto his plate.
“How long do you think the meeting will be?” Ivy was anxious to spend some time with Forest.
“I really couldn’t say,” Forest shook his head. “I think it best if I just meet you back at the castle.”
“Alright,” Ivy was disappointed, but she was very happy that Forest was being included in high level meetings. She had no doubt that he would be an important leader in Elnara.
***
“Maybe you should skip the meeting and rest,” Edric suggested as he and Elizabeth made ready to go back down to the Great Chamber.
“That’s silly,” Elizabeth shook her head. “What do you think that Kafella is going to do at the meeting?”
“I’m afraid that he’s going to talk you into doing something dangerous,” Edric smiled.
“I promise that I won’t agree to anything that you don’t approve.” Elizabeth gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Is that satisfactory?”
“I suppose,” Edric gave her a doubtful look. “Nothing that I don’t approve!” He pointed a finger at her.
“I promise,” she smiled. “Now let’s go.”
“Vika, we’re ready to go down,” Elizabeth informed the pixie who was working hard at the desk.
“I have my knife.” Vika reached down and pulled out her knife to show Edric.
“You two!” Elizabeth shook her head and rolled her eyes, even though she found their concern for her endearing.
When they reached the Great Hall, the trio ran into Lord Fredrick, Dragon Castle’s Chief Armsmen, and Lady Ellis.
“I’ll go fetch him,” Lord Fredrick was telling Ellis.
“What’s going on?” Edric inquired.
“Lady Ellis thought that she should go fetch Kafella from his chambers to bring down to the meeting,” Lord Fredrick informed his king.
Edric thought for a moment. “I think that Lady Ellis should go.”
“Really?” Elizabeth was surprised by Edric’s announcement. She knew that Edric wasn’t overly fond of Ellis.
“No one can make another’s blood run cold quite like Lady Ellis,” Edric smiled at the former Dragon Lord.
“Exactly.” Ellis smiled back at Edric as she walked toward the staircase to go and fetch the visitor.
***
Lady Ellis found two armsmen on guard outside of the chambers assigned to Kafella.
“I’m here to escort the visitor to the meeting,” Ellis informed the pair. When they hesitated, she glared at them and they quickly moved to open the chamber door for her.
Inside the chambers, she found Kafella sitting near a window, staring out toward the village. He turned at the sound of someone entering, smiling when he saw who it was. Ellis found him quite attractive. He was young, with perfect fairy features. She found his almost white skin, silver hair, and ice blue eyes, very appealing.
“Lady Ellis, it is a pleasure!” Kafella stood and gave Ellis a bow.
“I’m here to escort you to the meeting,” Ellis informed him.
“Who will be attending the meeting?” Kafella wondered.
“The king and queen along with other important officials from the kingdoms,” she told him as they made their way out of the chamber and down the hallway.
“Will you be attending?”
“I will,” Ellis replied.
“In what capacity?
“I’m there to decide if I should kill you or not,” Ellis shot him a smile.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Kafella told her. He did not believe for one second that she would harm him.
Ellis stopped their progress and turned to him. “You will tell your story. You will answer their questions. If you do anything or suggest anything that will put the queen or her twins in danger have no doubt that I will kill you.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Kafella repeated.
Ellis stepped closer to him, giving him a look that she knew had made seasoned warriors tremble. “I will put a sword through you and I won’t lose a second of sleep over it.”
Kafella remained perfectly calm. “I think you underestimate me.”
“I think you underestimate me,” Ellis told him. “Come on. They’re waiting for us.”