The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Galen sat in his room in the Aurorial palace reading a very large book on kingdom history. He had done little but read since they had returned from the battle. Sometimes he had read with Lexine in the library or in her room as it had been unbearably cold outside, snowing off and on. Lord Ethen had remarked it seemed to have been the coldest and snowiest winter he could ever remember experiencing in Siccaria. Galen wondered if it was just a fluke cold winter or if something else was behind it.

As Galen thought more and more about Lady Belleth and the powers he had seen her perform, he got a worse and worse feeling about who she truly was. It seemed she could really use old magic. She could control people, and seemingly travel between places with nothing but a thought and a flash of light. Who was she to command so much power?

Galen had read book after book on the history of the land, but he had found nothing useful. Every book he had found had taught him nothing new. It was all about the founding of Lanoxan and Siccaria, which he had already read for himself. What had the land been like before the Cassendars and the High Nobles of Siccaria ruled? There had to have been people living in the land, and it seemed they had more power over Mystics and magic than was seen in the present. Why couldn’t Galen find anything on the ancient history of the kingdom? Had it been lost to time? Was there a reason it was lost?

Galen continued to read the large book he held, but it seemed to contain nothing he needed so he closed it hard in frustration as he looked up at the clock on the mantle in his room. It was almost time to meet with Lexine and the High Captain in the library. They had agreed to meet regularly to see what each other had found. Lately they had been meeting in the High Captain’s room, but she had let Galen know that today she would be in the library as she had to see something besides the four walls of her bedroom.

Galen walked into the palace library to find Lexine and the High Captain sitting at the large wooden table in the middle of the room with King Leal and Lord Ethen. Galen walked over and bowed before sitting down next to Lexine.

“You need not be so formal with me,” said King Leal as he smiled at Galen.

“Who said he was bowing for you, your majesty,” said Lord Ethen with a quick laugh. “There is more than one man of rank at this table. I believe your crown has already gone to your head.”

“The joke is on both of you,” said Princess Lexine as she smiled at Galen. “I believe he was showing his respect for not a man at this table but a woman. Galen respects no one has much as his High Captain and queen.”

“I am very fond of my princess as well,” said Galen as he smiled back at Lexine.

The High Captain leaned back and grinned. “Have you found anything in your readings, Galen?”

Galen sagged in his chair. “No, and I am beginning to think we never will. I don’t understand why none of the books on the land’s history don’t mention anything in the time before Siccaria and Lanoxan were founded.”

“Well, lets start with what we do know,” said the High Captain. “What does everyone know about the founding of Siccaria and Lanoxan?”

“The Cassendars founded Lanoxan,” said King Leal. “Legend is the head of the family met with the four gods and was given the land of Lanoxan and the power to defend it.”

Galen nodded. “That is what I was taught, and all the books I have read say the same thing.”

“Siccaria was founded by a man named Fradaric. Our tales say he was taken up by the four gods to visit each of the four heavens, gaining wisdom like no other before he was sent to settle the land that is now Siccaria. His ability came from the wisdom he gained from his time in the four heavens,” said Ethen as he leaned forward. “Part of the wisdom he learned was that he could not rule alone so he brought his brother and family to rule alongside him which started the line of High Nobles. The High Nobles became a large group, so some were regulated to lower nobles eventually.”

“And what do we know of Navalia?” asked the High Captain

“About 1,000 years ago the King of Lanoxan sent a group of 100 people north to settle the land that is now Navalia. Their legend says a man there found a well and drank from it, gaining the gift of life and death from the goddesses of life,” said Galen.

Everyone was quiet for a few moments, all seeming to think on what was just said.

“Maybe we have been searching for the wrong thing,” said Lexine quietly. “Maybe we should focus less on the land itself and instead look for books on the people who founded the kingdom. Could we find books here on Fradaric, Lord Ethen?”

Lord Ethen gave a very small shrug. “It is a large library, and we have some very old books. He is the founder of our kingdom. Somewhere here there is bound to be something on him.”

“Do you still have some books on the Cassendars, Galen? Did you have to leave them behind in Navalia?” asked the High Captain.

“I have a few with me still,” said Galen.

“Did you find anything interesting on the founding of the kingdom in those books as you read them?” asked King Leal.

“I don’t remember,” said Galen. “I really wasn’t focusing on anything but the Cassendar power at the time, trying to find a way to help the High Captain. I can read over them again.”

“Do, Galen,” said the High Captain. “Ethen, can you call your library attendants in here, and see if they can help us find anything on Fradaric?”

“We should look for books on the gods as well, and I don’t just mean the Book of the Ways or the Book of Sense. I mean any legends or tales of the gods, no matter how far fetched the tales may sound. We should read those books of legends and see if we can find any truth in them,” said Lexine.

Galen nodded. “I believe you are right. There is always a bit of truth in any legend. If we want to know more about the founding of the kingdom, we should look to the gods.”

The library attendants were summoned, and they helped find books on Fradaric, the gods, and even two on the Cassendars. The High Captain took the two on the Cassendars as Lexine took the books on Fradaric, leaving Galen with the books of tales about the gods to read along with his own Cassendar books. The High Captain left with Lord Ethen and King Leal, as the king lifted her up in his arms to take her back to their room.

Galen settled in for an afternoon of reading with Lexine by one of the large chairs that stood in front of the fireplace in the library. Galen opened a book and scanned through it, looking for any tales about the gods he had not heard before. He would scan the books this afternoon, and then do a more thorough reading on the books he thought would be helpful.

He had gone through three different books when he stopped at a picture in the middle of a very old book. It was a faded picture of three young women standing next to each other. All three were very beautiful and seemed to almost shine on the page. The women on the left and right were blonde and petit with large eyes and small mouths that were upturned into smiles. They were almost identical except the one on the right had blue eyes and the one on the left had green eyes. The woman in the middle who had her arms around the other two was tall with dark hair and dark eyes. Her mouth was pouty and red. Though she looked more serious than the other two woman, something about her made Galen think she was kind while the other two woman looked rather cunning.

“Lexine, will you look at this?” asked Galen as he held the book out to her. “Have you ever seen anything like this as you studied about the gods?”

Lexine looked at the picture and then took the book from Galen, sitting it over the other book in her lap. “No, I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this before, but something about it feels familiar.”

Galen nodded as he looked over at the book in Lexine’s lap. Under the picture were the words knowledge, wisdom, and power. Galen reached over and turned the page to see paragraphs and paragraphs of writing in some strange language. It looked to be handwritten, and he was anxious to see if he could get anything from it. He went to take the book from Lexine, but she held on to it.

“I don’t think you should mess with this book as you did the other one, Galen,” said Lexine as she flipped back to the picture and stared at it.

“What do you mean?” asked Galen.

“Something about this book feels wrong. I don’t want you trying to get any feelings from it. I don’t think it will do you any good,” said Lexine.

“I am sure it will be fine, Lexine. Hand me the book,” said Galen.

Lexine shook her head, and Galen could see tears start to form in her eyes. “Please, Galen, do not put your hands on the words and try to figure this out.”

“But it could be important, Lexine,” said Galen. “This could help our king and queen, and our whole kingdom.”

Lexine took a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. “Fine, but don’t do it alone. I think we should wait until Dracia can be with us. I don’t know why, but I think it will be helpful to have her here.”

Galen nodded. “I will wait until the High Captain can read this with me. I will make sure you are with us so you can keep us out of trouble if it will make you feel better.”

“It will,” said Lexine as she closed the book. “I will give it back to you, if you promise to wait.”

“I do promise,” said Galen as he took the book from Lexine, stacking it up with the other books he had with him.

“I have barely seen you all week, Galen,” said Lexine as she too put away her books.

“I know. I have been trying to read through all the books on the kingdom’s history and help Roderick see to the Elites when I can. He has not been in a good mood,” said Galen.

“Why do you think that is?” asked Lexine.

“Well, some of it is his worry for the High Captain,” said Galen as he leaned back in his chair.

“But Dracia seems as if she will be well soon. I know a broken leg is not pleasant and can be dangerous, but she seems to be mending quickly,” said Lexine.

“She is,” said Galen slowly. He wondered how much to reveal to Lexine of the battle. They had not talked much about it, and he didn’t think she knew of Lady Belleth and Darron’s appearance.

“What is it, Galen?” asked Lexine. “I can tell there is something you aren’t telling me. What happened during the battle?”

Galen looked at Lexine without speaking.

“Tell me, Galen. You shouldn’t hide anything from me. I am a princess of Lanoxan and at this point the second in line to the throne since my sister refuses to see the benefits of furthering our family at this time. I need to know what happened.”

Galen paused for a few more moments before he nodded. “Lady Belleth and Darron were at the battle,” said Galen. “Belleth charmed the High Captain’s horse somehow, and that is how she broke her leg. Darron almost killed her before the king used his power to save her. I don’t think she would have lived without your brother.”

Lexine’s eyes grew wide as she took a deep breath. “It was as bad as that?” asked Lexine.

“It was,” said Galen. “I tried to get to the High Captain so did my brother and Lord Ethen, but there were so many soldiers in front of us. I don’t think we would have made it in time to help her, and she was in so much pain from her leg.”

“You don’t think they brought that force here just to kill Dracia, do you?” asked Lexine.

“I think it might be a possibility, Lexine. I am sure the benefit of hurting Siccaria was on their minds as well, but it really seemed as if Darron’s only mission was to kill the High Captain”

“She shouldn’t leave Siccaria or even the Aurorial palace,” said Lexine strongly. “When we travel to Lanoxan, Dracia should stay here.”

“She won’t do it, Lexine,” said Galen as Lexine stood up. “You know she won’t. Where are you going?”

“I am going to go talk some sense into my sister and brother,” said Lexine as she started walking from the room.

“Lexine, wait, it will do no good to go speak with her. You know it will not,” said Galen has he caught up with the princess. “You will not change her mind.”

“I will have to try, Galen. I cannot just do nothing,” said Lexine as she walked even faster.

Galen followed her to the king and queen’s rooms, and Lexine pounded on the door loudly when they arrived.

“Leal, I know you are both in there. I don’t care what you are doing, you will see me.”

“Sister,” said King Leal as he opened the door. “What in the land is the matter?”

“I wish to speak to your wife, now,” said Lexine as she pushed her way inside. King Leal looked at Galen who only shook his head before walking into the room before the king shut the door.

“What do you need, Lexine?” asked the High Captain from the sofa on which she sat.

“Lady Belleth and Darron were at the battle last week,” said Lexine angrily.

“Yes,” said the High Captain as she glanced at Galen. “She showed up with Darron towards the end.”

“And they both tried to kill you,” said Lexine.

“It was a battle, Lexine, many people were trying to kill me and many others,” said the High Captain as she looked up at the princess.

“But you, in particular were singled out; you know you were,” said Lexine as she stood in front of the High Captain. “If my brother had not been there, you would have died.”

“We do not know that,” said King Leal coming to stand by his sister. “You seem upset as I am sure you are worried about Dracia, but she is well as you can see.”

“What about next time?” asked Lexine. “You know Belleth won’t stop with this one try. What happens when you ride out into the next battle when we go to Lanoxan? What is stopping Belleth from trying again and again to kill Dracia?”

“What are you trying to say, Lexine?” asked the High Captain as she folded her arms.

“You should not go to Lanoxan. You should stay here in Siccaria, safe in the palace. Let your Elites and even your king fight for you,” said Lexine. “I will go as well.”

“You think I would let my Elites and my husband go to war without me?” asked the High Captain shaking her head. “You know me better than that. I know you do.”

“I do know how stubborn you are, but I also believe you do have some sense,” said Lexine. “You should stay here where Belleth cannot get to you. This is your home as well as Lanoxan. You will be well protected here.”

“What good would I do here?” asked the High Captain. Galen could tell she was trying to remain calm even though red patches had broken out on her cheeks showing how displeased she really was.

“If you were doing your true duty as the queen, you would be protecting the next heir to the throne,” said Lexine loudly.

“Now, Lexine, that is too far,” said King Leal. “You or anyone else does not get to dictate when Dracia and I decide it is the right time to have children.”

“If it is up to your wife, I doubt there will ever be a right time. She will always find some excuse to fight for her kingdom, instead of settling down and doing her duty.”

“I thought you of all people would understand me, Lexine,” said the High Captain. “I would like to be a mother someday, but it is not all I am. I am more than just a wife and a mother.”

“You are a queen,” said Lexine. “You should act like it.”

“By defending my kingdom, I am being the queen I believe I need to be. Once Lanoxan is safe, I will see to the family line,” said the High Captain.

“You are impossible, Dracia. How can you see to the family line if you are dead?” asked Lexine. “You should not ride out and fight.”

“I am sure Dracia appreciates your counsel and concern, sister, but the decision is hers and I support it. You should go and prepare for supper, now,” said King Leal adamantly.

“Galen, tell them I am right. She might listen to you after all,” said Lexine, turning to look at Galen.

Galen looked at Lexine and then the High Captain wishing he had stayed out in the hallway.

“I don’t think Galen should have to give his opinion,” said King Leal as he looked at Galen with some compassion.

“No, go on, Galen, you are my second. I value your opinion, tell me what you think,” said the High Captain.

“I can see Princess Lexine’s point. You are very valuable to the kingdom, High Captain, and I am sure the princess just wants you to be safe as all of us do, but I trust your judgement. Besides, you are the best fighter in the kingdom, and we will need you leading the Sentinel in the battles to come. After all that is happened, the Sentinel will need the stability of its High Captain.”

“Galen, are you serious?” said Lexine throwing down her hands. She shook her head and fled from the room.

“Will you excuse me, please?” asked Galen to the High Captain. He gave a short nod to the king and then walked quickly from the room, catching Lexine as she walked down the hallway.

“Lexine, wait,” said Galen as he gently grabbed her arm.

“No,” she said as she jerked her arm away. “I thought you would support me in there.”

“What did you want me to do? She is my High Captain and the queen of our kingdom. How can I disagree with her?”

“She asked for your opinion. I had hoped you would tell her the truth,” said Lexine.

“I did,” said Galen. “I believe the only chance for our kingdom is if the High Captain fights for us. You know what she can do, Lexine. You have seen it. Without her, how could we ever defeat the Navalians and Belleth?”

“What if it takes her life, Galen?” said Lexine with tears running down her red face. “What good will our kingdom be if we lose her. How will my brother bear it? How will I bear it?”

Galen walked forward and took Lexine into his arms. “You care about her. I do as well, but she has to do what she believes is right. She made the decision to become High Captain and our queen. She must act accordingly.”

“You don’t understand,” said Lexine as she pushed away. “You only see her for her titles. You didn’t grow up with her, laughing with her, dreaming with her. You don’t really know her, Galen. You only see her as a son of a lower lord can, as a person of power who must give everything she has to the kingdom.”

Galen felt the sting of her comment even though he knew she only said it because she was upset. “Do you feel as if I only see you for your title, then? I mean how could I truly love the Princess Lexine if I am a lower lord’s son?”

Lexine looked at him and blinked her eyes as she stood up straighter. “Perhaps you cannot.”

Galen knew she didn’t really mean it. He should have called her on it. He should have walked forward and pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she took the comment back. Instead, he turned from her and walked to his room.