Dueling Kingdoms - Part 2

BEFORE YOU READ, MAKE SURE YOU READ PART 1!

With a sudden and reluctant gust of dust, the woman opened the door allowing Roy and Kris into the Western side of the castle. The woman, clearly shaken and trying to avoid death at all cost, respectfully bowed to Roy and Kris as they ran through and thanked her for their entry.

“Roy, this is your kingdom, your birthright. You must remain inside, ready to slay the knight for your throne.” Kris breathed heavily as if ordering Roy to go into the throne room “Besides, your mother is in need of you I’m sure. I’ll be there when I can.”

“Kris…” before he could say another word, Kris rushed off with her sword drawn. “Promise me…” He whispered into the shadows of Kris as he could see her silhouette down the corridor.

Kris was from a peasant family, but had a natural ability with the sword that drew the attention of the Queen’s Banneret, Drew. Drew saw the potential in Kris and trained her with the young boys who were selected to become knights, however Kris was the only female among them, and favored by the Queen herself, which separated Kris from all the others. She was granted special privileges such as being properly educated about dinner etiquette and court etiquette, the Queen also allowed Kris to work independently so long as she protected Roy at all cost. Meaning, Roy and Kris practically grew up together, although under different rules, they were very close. Roy knew that he had feelings for Kris, but casted them aside as he was betrothed to the daughter of an aristocrat, Lady Helena. Without another wasted moment, Roy made his way to be beside his mother, the Queen in the throne room.

Kris could hear the clanking of metal as her fellow knights and soldiers were in a bloody fight throughout the outskirts of the castle. Kris knew the quickest way to end a siege was to take out the commanders. Kris found one of her own commanders and demanded an update, “High Knight Natahniel! How many are there?” Nathaniel knew what Kris was seeking, “Only two.” Two? Kris thought her brows furrowed as cannons were booming and shaking the rocky wall they stood on, “Kris!” Nathaniel was screaming to get her attention, “What?” “The prince’s brother is with them, Prince Coy.” Kris’s heart almost stopped, she knew of Prince Coy, the only man Kris ever feared. “Take me to them. NOW!” Kris demanded, “I will barter.” Kris knew the extensive and heated feud of the family, but she also knew Prince Coy only brings about bloodshed, the complete opposite of Roy. Kris referred to him as the evil twin.

As the booms of cannons, the shaking ground from the cannon balls, and clanking of metal as the battle proceeded. Kris and Nathaniel went horseback to Prince Coy who was accompanied by the two knights. As Kris and Nathaniel guided their horses to cut off the path of Prince Coy and his knights, Kris held her fist to silence Nathaniel, “Go and tell the Prince he has a visitor, Knight Nathaniel, we’ll be there soon.” Nathaniel bewildered, obeyed the order and rushed towards the front gates of the castle eager to inform the Prince.

“Ah, you must be the talented Krisanthanese!” Prince Coy said with a cocky laugh, keeping his knights at bay on either side of him. Prince Coy had filled out more than Roy did, with his thick glistening muscles apparent even under his royal armor. Removing his helmet to reveal the sweaty golden locks clinging to his forehead. “Show me your skill. I command you.” “You are no Prince of mine.” Kris retorted. “Then, I’ll force you.” With a small wave of his hand both knights slipped off their saddles and unsheathed their blades, closing in on Kris. “Have it your way, but after I slaughter your men, I’ll drag you to your brother myself.” Kris stated in a calm and stern manner. As she sent her horse away so it wouldn’t get hurt or killed, she faced the two knights in a heated battle to the death.

It was like an improvised dance to Kris, calculating each of the knights’ steps and bouncing between their silent cues that were betrayed by their body, something Kris was naturally talented at recognizing, leading her to be the Queen’s most skilled swordsman. After a heated battle, both knights laid in their own blood as Kris sheathed her sword and fiercely walked toward Prince Coy. “Bravo! Bravo! You are a sight to behold Krisanthanese!” “It’s Kris! You are to call me Kris.” “Hahaha I wonder if you bite or do you just bark?” Prince Coy laughed as he taunted Kris with his black horse, as if as black as death itself, bearing the shiniest armor for its protection and the crest of their kingdom. “Now, it was just a joke, my apologies Kris.” “We will go to your brother, once you’ve called off the attack. Send your men home, now.” “Ah, fair enough. You! Over there!” Prince Coy pointed at a random guardsman who rushed over kneeling in front of him, “Yes my lord!” “Tell the others we’ve done enough damage here, go home. Now.” The guardsman clearly baffled, looked upwards and then quickly back towards the ground fearing he would be out of place, “Yes! I’ll go at once!” “There you have it, as good as gone!” Kris didn’t respond, she knew that Coy was trying his best to get under her nerves, but she also knew that his head was not hers to take, Roy must be the one to kill him. It was an unspoken rule and understanding amongst the kingdoms, that the brother’s would have to duel for their Kingdom and ultimately take the others by fighting to the death. As Kris guided Coy’s horse by the reins on foot, escorting him to the throne room, she could only wonder if this was it, would Roy be dueling his brother? Or would this end in negotiation again, as this was not the first time Prince Coy has attacked our Kingdom. One thing was certain, she was utterly annoyed by Prince Coy’s arrogance.

Meanwhile, Roy was pacing around the front of his throne at the right side of his mother. “Dear boy, do sit down!” “No! It’s unfair to be behind these walls while our people are dying for our lives!” Angered and annoyed at the situation and the responsibility that ensues being a Prince. “It’s unwise to send you in battle, the battle you must face is right before you.” His mother is calm as if she knows at some point, all will come to pass either she would be slain by the failure of Roy to protect the throne and their kingdom, or there will be peace as he would have succeeded. “Mother, what does it tell the people? If I am to be their leader, I should be beside them!” “If you are to be their leader, you need to trust them.” Roy understood the depths of his mothers words as he hung his head in deep thought. “Forgive my abrupt entrance my Lord and Queen!” Nathaniel was gassed, out of breath as he was scurrying to the throne room in advance of Kris and Prince Coy, nearly falling to the marble floor as he rushed to his knee in respect. “Rise! Gather your bearings and explain.” Roy stated calm and stern. “Prince Roy, forgive me. I was rushed here by Lady Kris to warn you of your visitor. Prince Coy is approaching and Kris said she was to barter with him to attempt a delay so you could be told.” When he finished speaking, Nathaniel bowed his head awaiting Roy’s response. “Nathaniel, I order you to gather as many knights as you can, line the walls. I’ll need you to be ready to protect the Queen, at all costs should this not end as we hope.” Nathaniel bowed again and went to gather the knights, as the remaining soldiers and citizens began cleaning up the remnants of battle as Coy’s men retreated to the forest line towards their kingdom.

“Lord Roy and Queen, I have brought you Prince Coy who says this would be a final negotiation for what he says is ‘peace.’” Kris retorted with a slight sneer towards Prince Coy who stood calm, steady and mighty behind her as she knelt in respect to Roy and the Queen. “Ah dearest brother, and Mother!” Coy snickered, brushing past Kris who was rising to her feet on guard due to the thick tension everyone felt in the throne room. “Do not greet me as blood, you’ve killed my people in your greed!” Roy lashed out, stepping angrily towards Coy, “If only this would be the battle to claim my birthright and your kingdom. The same battle that will end with that witch’s head on a spear!” The Queen didn’t even flinch at Coy’s words, she sat elegantly and silent as Roy was to become the leader the people needed to see, the leader the people could support with their lives. “You will not speak to our mother as such, not while I am still here.” Roy’s voice boomed with authority that even shook Coy who was not expecting his response to be so bold. “You’re right, my apologies.” “You see, I have come to negotiate a temporary peace, to restore my army from this silly little game we play.” Coy started glancing around the room, my eyes never leaving his as my blood boiled wishing I could end this petty game of war. For a brief moment Coy’s eyes locked onto mine and I sensed he was plotting something, something mischievous. “I will even consider ending the bloodshed altogether and tell our father that this is a lost cause, for a price.” Roy wanted nothing else but for his father and brother to leave his life altogether and stop the unnecessary bloodshed of their people. Even the Queen’s interest piqued when Coy mentioned ending the feud. “At what cost?” The Queen demanded, “Ah, it’s a hefty price, and one I have been after for a few years now.” Coy snickered as he began pacing the room feeling as if he was in control, “Enough! How much gold to send you and father away, for good.” “Ah, that’s just it. I’m not after gold.” “Then what?” Roy asked confused, the Queen’s brows furrowed in confusion as well and the soft squeaks from armor wrinkled the air as the knights even began looking around in disbelief. “I want what you want dearest brother, only I can offer the life she deserves.” Coy stated, “Lady Helena?” The Queen spoke up, “If that’s what you want, brother she is yours!” With an evil laugh Coy was only looking at one person now, Kris. “I want…her.” Kris walked forward, sword sheathed and bowed before Prince Roy, expecting him to say the words. “I will not let you take her.” Roy boomed, at this point the Knights were whispering amongst each other and even Kris looked up surprised. “Done!” The Queen spoke, elegant, and expressionless. “Mother!” Kris quietly rose to her feet, “Prince Roy, if this is the way to save our kingdom, I shall leave at once.” Roy’s eyes were piercing, silently pleading with Kris, “She is our best swordsman, how do you expect to repay me for this?” Prince Roy stated in confidence at least trying to barter back with Prince Coy, “Respectfully, Prince Roy.” Kris began unable to make eye contact initially, but forced herself to have as much confidence as she could muster. “You will gain your kingdom, peace and freedom from your brother’s insatiable need for blood. Moreso, I made a promise to the Queen when I was made a knight, and this is me fulfilling that promise.” Roy was speechless, the secret love of his life, sacrificing herself for him and the kingdom, and he was to just sit by and watch. With a quick approving nod from the Queen, Kris spun on her heels and knelt before Prince Coy who was thrilled to have made this deal. “Rise knight, but only rise as my queen.” Prince Coy is all too eager to reveal his true intentions, stealing the secret love of his brother right before him in front of the entire court. Kris looked upwards wide-eyed and speechless, what has she done? Gasps filled the silence as Coy grabbed Kris and forced her out of the kingdom walls and towards the forest, where they rode horseback all the way to Murphinite Kingdom.

Will Kris accept her new fate to be betrothed to Prince Coy in order to protect her kingdom? Will Roy go through with his arranged marriage and move past his heartbreak to preserve the promised peace? Or will Roy go after his one true love, Kris? Or will something else happen? Find out in Part 3!