Princess Rivalee (Second Section)

For the next weeks a new urgency was instilled in Riva. Glen. She had to get to Glen.

Now that the Kingdom was back in the clear financially and she had Kadric, Ergil and Jessaw to keep things in check, she felt secure about leaving. The spies were being hunted down and destroyed one by one and the army outside the walls was slowly waning.

Raids were attempted in rapid succession under the Commander experience hand. With the enemy’s cavalry gone the only threat were the polearms and they could easily be flanked or surprised. Alsteare found good use in horse archers. They were mobile, fast and deadly if used against a slower force.

Riva never set foot out into the battle front again.

Dreams haunted her and the feel of her power engulfing a life in flame or slicing through muscle, sinew and bone was not one she wished to experience again. There were times when she was convinced that she was being punished for taking their lives by being forced to live through their deaths over and over as night came.

Ergil found her one night in her study. He had a report in his hand. When she looked up at his footsteps he waved the sheets as an explanation. “‘Nother spy, found and disabled.”

They sat in silence.

“You haven’t been sleeping well.”

Riva shook her head. She didn’t want to sleep anymore.

“Why?”

Their eyes met. He knew why, but he wanted to hear her say it. And Riva respected him too much not to answer, “Dreams of the ones I’ve killed.” She said simply, no more explanation was needed.

“They would’ve killed you in a second. They came to kill you and your people. What else were you to do?”

Riva put down the material she had been reading in frustration. “You don’t think I tell myself that every time I see their faces? They were still living beings, people with families, desires, plans for the future, and I took all of that away from them.”

“What about your people? What about their hopes and dreams? What about their homes? This is their land and the Sealidans had no right to be here. Doesn’t that have meaning?” Whenever Ergil spoke it was softly, logically and always in questions. Trying to make her think and turn her thoughts in a new direction, to make her ask herself the things she had been avoiding.

Riva had no answer to his questions.

“Perhaps, Your Majesty, you should consider that every life you took saved hundreds of innocent ones. Life is something to be treasured, but we should never feel the need to remorse for protecting our lives, freedom and families.”

He stood and placed the report on her desk.

“They aren’t men you should lose sleep over. Their lives were forfeit when they entered the carnage called war.” His eyes rose to meet hers. “As is yours.”

Without another word or explanation he left.

Riva put her head in her hand and sighed. “Your wisdom is too far beyond my years, old man. What good is advice if I don’t know what it means?”

*****

“I’m leaving tomorrow night.” She informed the Council. “I’m leaving the conducting of our meetings in Kadric’s hands.”

There were some who stood in anger, whether at her abandonment or Kadric’s command she wasn’t sure. Most sat in silence, probably plotting how to take control while I’m away. Riva shook her head. No, that wasn’t fair. They had supported her when she’d needed it. There were good men on the Council, men she’d come to trust and others to respect.

Wearily she motioned for silence. “I’m leaving for selfish reasons, I have no excuse and don’t wish to leave one. I only know that I will forever regret my decision if events should go badly.” She paused and looked each man in the eye. “You do not need me. You never have. I know that you all have the capability to rule Alsteare with justice and wisdom. I know that you can keep our people alive and safe. I only ask that you remember before you seek to place yourselves in a better position, the people of Aslteare. I ask that every action passed will be done for the benefit and good of realm. We will not survive the coming battle if we are divided. Unite under Alsteare’s banner and save her people.”

Silence had filled the room.

“Until I return, I leave Alsteare, my beloved home, in your hands.”

She bowed to the Council, renouncing her title and ruler and placing her trust in them.

Lloyd of Gareth spoke. “Why are you leaving us, Princess? What could possibly be more important that the kingdom you claim to love so much?”

A sharp pain shot through her chest. Is that what you think of me? But it was a fair question, she was abandoning her duty to save the man she believed she loved. She was leaving thousands for the sake of one man.

“Glen, I’m leaving to save Glen. The man that I love.”

A smirk slipped on and off the face of Gareth and murmurs of disapproval swept through the Council. Betrayal. That’s what this was to them.

Riva could feel their eyes weighing down on her, loading her with anger, contempt and disgust. The pain in her chest widened into a throbbing ache.

“This is why a woman should never lead.”

“For a man?”

“How could she?”

Riva let the insults and words wash over her, determined not to cry. She was beyond it, her decision was final. She wasn’t going to back down, it didn’t matter what they thought of her. Resolutely she forced her head higher. A princess acted honorably and didn’t run off without an explanation to anyone. She would be honest and frank with these people. They deserved that.

So why did it hurt so much?

*****

Riva stopped, panting hot and sweaty. The leather reins were sweaty where her hands had been and she wiped them on her clothes, although it didn’t help much. Ettore huffed behind her and snuffled at her hair. Brushing the gelding aside, she murmured, “None of that.” and wiped her brow surprised that there was any water left inside her. All around her was a vast expanse of heat and sand. It never ended.

According to her map she should have been out of the desert three days ago, fortunately she had brought enough food and water for a few more days. That was all, a few more days, there was nothing now and most of her supplies had been for the horse. How was she supposed to get out of here if her horse died?

From reading she knew that she should keep herself covered as much as possible despite the heat, so she had lasted longer than anyone who didn’t know how to handle the desert. Sighing she pulled out her map and looked at it again. Apparently I don’t know enough about navigating, she thought grimly. The sun was high in the sky and impossible to get a direction from, but from last night she’d made sure she was headed north, so what was wrong?

Shoving the map back in its place, she continued on, unsure of what else to do.

*****

Her feet hurt, her lips hurt, her hands hurt, everything hurt, everything was hot. Hurting was good, it meant she was alive. Just keep telling yourself that. She paused and stared out, shaking her head wearily she thought, Why am I doing this? Why can’t I get out of this stupid desert! In anger and frustration she screamed but nothing came out of her dry throat, she blinked several times and swallowed. Then she cackled suddenly realizing that she had been trying to cry but hadn’t been successful from lack of water.

No matter, one foot in front of the other. She started counting her steps, finding nothing better to do.

Long after she had given up counting, her legs gave out. The sand was felt like a hot iron but she didn’t have the strength to stand. Ettore stood over and munched at her clothes. When she didn’t react, he pushed at her with his nose.

Still no reaction.

Becoming increasingly concerned he gently bit her shirt and physically pulled her forward. Riva flailed slightly not exactly enjoying the feeling of scratchy sand up against her skin. Grabbing the reins she pulled herself up and tried to smack the horse. He, in turn, jerked back and trotted away gleefully.

She slumped back onto the ground. “Big tease,” she reached for him and obediently he came. Ginning she stroked his nose. “but you’re one heck of a horse.” He shook his head in agreement. They had become close in the weeks of travel.

Riva had decided that the safest way to reach the capital of Sealidan was to go through the desert that covered a great expanse of the north. She’d also discovered that a large army had come the same way. The border between Alsteare and the desert wasn’t well guarded because the only thing in the desert were the nomads. They had snuck in right up to the capital from the north.

Great minds think a like. She thought wearily. Spots started to appear on her vision and she clung to the reins desperately.

I’m going to die here. The thought was calm and absolute. I’m going to die… I’m sorry, Glen. She looked up at Ettore and sighed. “I don’t see how it’s fair that you have to die with me.” Ettore folded his legs under him and sat against her. Riva knew he was trying to show his loyalty but she couldn’t stop wrinkling her nose. His coat was covered in sweat. “Stupid horse.” She told him and he pointedly ignored the comment. I can’t let him die. She thought with sudden certainty and with that she raised her hand and pushed her life force into the animal. Trying to keep the flow of energy steady, Riva used her other hand to steady herself as she began to sway. Just a little more!

With a great heave she forced any energy left out to her palm. Please, live, she thought as the darkness overcame her.

*****

The shaman knelt before King Racham, “Your Majesty, we have picked up an Alstearian, according to our custom.” His voice didn’t betray his uneasiness but the King already understood it.

Racham waved his hand and ordered all servants and guards alike out. They bowed themselves out and the shaman stood and relaxed. Imad bowed slightly, “Thank you, your Majesty.”

“Why so formal, Imad?” Racham asked tiredly. “And why are you worried about some Alstearian?”

Imad grinned, obviously pleased with his connection to the King. “As you know, sire, we are going to declare war on Alsteare as soon as we are able to get the Umed tribe to cooperate. I am simply considering what to do with the girl.” His eyes gleamed.

Racham shrugged, “Make her a slave, her life is mine according to the Law of the Desert, so I may do what I choose with her.” He played with some stray silk on his coat. “I don’t care what you do. Is she awake yet?”

“Not as of yet, your Majesty.” Imad answered. “I am giving her attention as needed.” King Racham nodded and waved him away. Imad departed to see to the girl.

When he reached the tent she was trying to sit up.

“Don’t move!” Imad yelled in Alstearian and rushed to her, pressing her back onto the thick rug. “You are not completely healed yet.”

“What’s going on? Who are you?” She inquired quietly, her throat causing everything to come out scratchy and raspy.

Imad allowed his energy to enter her, giving it the strength to heal. At the moment it was all she needed, her body was exhausted. All she needed was rest, food and drink. “You are in the tent of King Racham of the Nurvia Desert. I am Imad, Head Shaman of the King.”