Fallen - Chapter Fifteen

Steam rose from the pool’s heated water. The sun had only begun to rise over the Felucian Mountains to the east. The mountains were still draped in their winter snows. The mornings still cool, but filled with the smell of the coming spring. Lady Rianna moved gracefully through the water, her body hidden in its depth, to the marbled edge that over-looked the entire city of Durhamfeld. It had been two days since the courier had arrived with news of Mufaun’s victory. Mufaun had found the Seer and would be returning today before the sun set. Grand Marshall Rohn would be with him. Her father had all but declared the day a day of feast and rest.

The princess closed her eyes, took a deep, engaging breath of the lavender scented water, and then slipped completely into its depths. When she broke the water’s surface a few seconds later, she was no longer alone.

Grand Marshall Rohn stood at the pool’s edge, watching the princess swim. “Good morning, my lady.”

“This is a private chamber, Grand Marshall, you are not welcome here.”

“But if I were Mufaun…”

“No man is welcome in the bedchamber of the princess, Grand Marshall, or have you been gone so long that you’ve forgotten the very laws you bare arms to protect and uphold?”

“Don’t trifle with me, girl.” He caught himself in the biting tone, cooled his stung pride, and softened the gaze he cast at the princess. “Forgive me, princess, I forget my place. The journey has been long and fraught with unexpected dangers that have cost my army dearly.”

The Grand Marshall turned to leave.

“Wait.” He stopped but did not turn to look at the princess. “How is it that you have managed to return before you were expected?”

The man turned, kneeling at the pool’s side and dipping his right hand into the water. After pulling it out, filled with water, he cupped the handful of the scented wetness and lifted it to his nose where he breathed in the refreshing aroma. Then he let the water fall from his hand.

“I have come for you, baring news I felt you should hear only from me.”

She struggled desperately to hide her look of concern.

Her heart raced in her chest. Her long, golden hair hung wet and straight down her head and across her shoulders. Her blue eyes watched the Grand Marshall as he drew himself to his full height. He looked at her and she could feel her lips begin to tremble.

“The night after the courier left Mufaun’s camp, they were attacked by a savage warrior tribe of cave trolls from the Eastern Tambors.”

Rianna turned and swam to the ledge, looking out once again at the city as it awoke to the new day, the sun’s first rays of light spreading across the tiled rooftops of the city’s cottages near the outer wall.

Rohn moved around the edge of the pool, his eyes on her. “The battle must have been a fierce one. It surely must have lasted most of the night, but when I arrived in the morning with my army, the damage was done, and could not be undone.”

Tears streaked Rianna’s face, she fought to control the tremble spreading through her body at what she knew would come next.

“Mufaun is dead, my lady. Slain in battle, protecting the very thing your father sent him to find and bring to him.” He paused, watched her tremble in the water, staring at the city of her birthright.

“So it is you, then, that shall present the Seer to my Father?”

“Yes, my lady, in humble memory of my fallen Lieutenant Marshall, I will bring this woman to your Father’s court.” Rohn stared at the princess, the lies spilling from his lips like the tears from her eyes.

“Will that humble memory keep you from taking me to your bed, Grand Marshall? Will you honor me, will you honor my heart in the same way you honor the man who served you so faithfully?” Tears still running freely from her eyes, she stared at the Grand Marshall.

“I beg your forgiveness for the plague this news is on your heart, my lady, but your fate is not mine to decide.”

The Grand Marshall turned to leave but was stopped again by the princess. “Where is his body, Grand Marshall? Where has Roz Mufaun been laid to rest? Where is his body being prepared for the burial he has earned?”

“Far from here, my lady, on a hill overlooking the giant oak forest at the foot of the Tambor Mountains where he and his captains died defending your Father’s dream. That is where you will find the body of Roz Mufaun. I’ve already dispatched a host of masons and carpenters to erect a tomb and monument fit to house the greatest of my men. I will take you there myself when it is completed.”

Grand Marshall Rohn left the bedchamber of the princess without further comment, leaving her in the steaming bath without a word of comfort, without hope of love, leaving her shattered and fallen.

The end…for now, but to be continued in Taken.