• Prologue

    tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab Midsummer’s Day of the Year 1317
    tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab King’s Castle, Belina
    My Dearest Daughter,
    I write this in great haste. The war is fast approaching and I must be at the head of the army. I will die. The seer foresaw this the day of your birth. I wish I’d had more time with you my dear. I am so sorry I had to go away. I do regret not being able to see you get married. You’ll be a great Lady to our small fief. I must say goodbye now as the King has bade me come. Remember me my love and I will see you when you join me in heaven. Remember the lullaby I sang you when we lived together. I love you my sweet Ella.
    tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab tab With Love Always,
    tab tab tab tab tab tab Lady Maris of Sulwyn

    Chapter 1

    I ran a hand through my long black hair. I stared down at the letter my mother had sent me. A tear fell down my cheek. I saw my mother in my mind’s eye. Her tall, graceful figure clad in a soft white gown that fell to the ground. Eyes of the clearest blue smiling in a soft, rounded face. Full lips tilted up in a smile. Dark, curly ringlets of black hair falling to just below her waist. A small circlet of pale gold keeping her hair out of her face.
    “Mother.” I hadn’t realized I’d spoken out loud until my nurse looked up from her spinning.
    “A letter from Lady Maris, Ella? Is it good news?” Ilea’s eyes flashed with sudden hope.
    “No Ilea. It is the worst of news.” I watched as fear flashed on Ilea’s wizened face.
    “What news-“ A knock on the door interrupted her.
    “Miss Ella. A messenger from the king is in the hall. He needs to speak with you urgently.”
    “I am on my way. Please let the messenger know I will be there in a moment.” I heard the soft footsteps leaving. “Please help me dress in my hunting clothes Ilea. I want to go in the forest.”
    I tossed my plain brown dress onto my bed. Ilea pulled my worn brown jerkin out of my chest. She helped me slide in and then helped me tie my long hair back. As soon as I was presentable, Ilea followed me out to the hall.

    The messenger was staring into the coals of a dying fire when I entered the hall. He looked up and there was a great sadness in his eyes.
    “Are you the Lady Ella?” His voice was gruff.
    “It’s Lady Mariella, but yes I am Ella as well.” I braced myself.
    “I am sorry to tell you but your mother was killed in the war recently. She said she sent a letter to you.” The messenger looked inquisitively at me. “You remind me of the Lady Maris.”
    “I have heard that before.” I sighed and looked at Ilea. “I just received my mother’s letter this past evening. She said that her death had been foretold at the time of my birth. I thank you for coming with the message.” I felt Ilea take my hand.
    “It was my pleasure Lady Mariella. I will rest a while before I leave for Panthar.” He bowed his head to me and I felt Ilea tug on my hand.
    Ilea tugged me out of the hall and out onto the stone ramparts.
    “Your mother is dead Miss Ella! Why do you not cry?” Ilea cried out.
    “Ilea. My mother knew she was going to die. She accepted her fate head on instead of running. I do grieve for her and I did shed a tear but my mother knew she was going to die.” I hugged Ilea. “I’m going to go wander about in the forest. I’ll be back about midday.” I smiled at Ilea.
    She sniffed and hugged me quickly before retreating back into the hall. I stood on the ramparts gazing out at the lands of Sulwyn. The tall trees of the forest seemed to brush the horizon. Tendrils of gray smoke wafted up into the pale blue sky. People were buying goods at the market in the small village that was surrounded by the ramparts I stood on. The small wattle-and-daub houses of the village held all the possessions of the villagers. I sighed as I stared at our fief. It was full of happy people and soldiers. I thought of Mother’s letter. What did she mean when she said to remember the lullaby she sang me? I wish I could talk to her again.
    I started down the stone steps that led to the training grounds, lost in thought. Momma, why didn’t you tell me you were going to die? I wish you were here. I saw my little sister, Elwin, training with the captain of the guard. She danced around the small ring, slicing the air with her plain sword. I laughed when the captain of the guards tripped and fell on his bum. Elwin put her sword to his throat and laughed. “Good fight Captain Llewis.”
    “Elwin!” I ran over to where she stood. “Captain Llewis.” I nodded to the officer and motioned for my sister to follow me.
    “What’s the matter Ellie?” Elwin wiped sweat off her brow and looked at me with eyes like Momma’s.
    “Elwin, did you get a letter from Momma?” I felt the sadness and grief well up in me suddenly.
    “No. Did you Ellie?” She looked curiously up at me.
    “Yes. She wrote it on Midsummer’s Day. Elwin… Momma’s dead. She died the day she sent me the letter.” I heard the pain in my voice.
    “Momma’s… dead? I don’t understand Ella.” Her clear blue eyes were confused.
    “She died in the battle. I’m sorry Elwin but I’ve gotta go. I’ll talk to you tonight.” I hugged Elwin and smiled sadly at her.
    “Okay.” She hugged me back and walked back to the ring.
    I grabbed my bow and quiver as I left the keep. I smiled at the little kids milling about. I nodded to the guards and, as soon as I was out of the keep, I ran flat out towards the forest. The cool shade of the forest calmed me down a little. I stopped in a clearing a few meters away from the road. I panted and put my hands on my knees.
    As soon as my breath had calmed, I strung my bow and started out towards the pond in a virtually unknown clearing about a mile away. I’d come across it when I was seven and I fell in love with its secluded feeling. Since then I’d come here as often as possible. I didn’t let anyone else see it, and I kept well away from it when someone else was with me.