The Veredor Chronicles: Book 02 - The Journey West (15 page)

‘You hav
e both disobeyed my orders. Eben Ecorian, I don’t know how you got into the royal chambers unseen; I can assure you that it won’t happen again. Apherah, you will stay in your chambers until the Ecorian is safely away from our city.’

‘Father please
don’t!’ pleaded Apherah.

‘Take
Princess Apherah to her chambers and place a guard at her door. She must not be allowed out until the Ecorian is gone. Eben Ecorian, you should know that I am a man of honour. I will not go against my word. I regret to say that you are banished from Faircastle. Guards, lead Eben Ecorian to his chambers. You have an hour to leave Faircastle.’

‘I think you’
re making a grave mistake, Your Majesty,’ said Eben.

‘I will be the judge of that
,’ said King Edric. He then turned and stormed away. Eben watched as Princess Apherah was led from him. She looked back over her shoulder, smiled sadly, and then was gone.

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘I can’t believe we have been banished from Faircastle,’ said Red, shaking his head as he stepped into Eben’s chamber with Stella. ‘I was really starting to enjoy living here.’

‘You don’t have to come
with me, Red. King Edric said that only I am banished,’ replied Eben.

‘You’re not leaving without us
, Eben,’ said Stella.

Meara
and Cassiel suddenly appeared in the doorway. ‘What’s the meaning of this? Why are you leaving?’ asked Meara, shocked at seeing them packing their bags.

‘Eben went to
see Princess Apherah when he had been forbidden from seeing her by the King,’ said Stella.

‘I see. I have heard that
she has been promised to King Lenard. I can see why King Edric would be concerned. King Lenard is a quick tempered man. He is also an important ally in our struggle. We cannot afford to lose the Everdonians. I think you should respect the King’s wishes and stay away from her.’

‘
Apherah does not want to marry King Lenard,’ said Eben resolutely.

The room fell silent
. Meara shut the door, leaving the palace guardsmen outside. She directed them to sit at the table.

‘This situation is mor
e dangerous than you think. Let us assume that you can overcome all the possible obstacles and are able to start a courtship with Princess Apherah. The end result would mean that the Ecorian would rule Faircastle and the Sapphire Throne. I doubt that the Ecorian Arbiters would accept this. I believe you would gain Dravania and Iarthar as allies, and probably King Ignis, but Everdon, Ateria, Silvor, and the Isles of Dawn would probably oppose you. This is a division we can’t accept at this time.’

‘I don’t want to cause any division
s,’ said Eben.

There was a knock at
the door. Red sprang to his feet and opened the door. The Fiorians Chiara and Acartor stood outside.

‘Please, come in and join us,’ said Red
, indicating for them to enter.

Chiara looked
at Eben with a furrowed brow as she entered the room. ‘Eben Ecorian. We heard that you are being banished from Faircastle for attempting to begin a courtship with Princess Apherah. Is this true?’

‘Yes,
’ replied Eben.

‘
Surely you must know that Irvaria and Everdon have only a tentative alliance at best. Unfortunately King Lenard has been promised Princess Apherah’s hand in marriage. It is important for the united armies of Everdon and Irvaria to face the Prince of Shadows together. If you attempt to prevent this marriage the Everdonians may fight alone and refuse Irvarian help. The Prince of Shadows will crush the Everdonians and then march to the gates of Faircastle and destroy us. We need an alliance between Irvaria and Everdon. You must respect King Lenard and not stand between him and Princess Apherah.’

Eben felt a rising anger
at the unfair demands being made on him. ‘Should I really show respect to King Lenard? He has little regard for me. I know that Apherah does not want to marry the Everdonian. I cannot agree to this.’

‘I understand the Ecorian’s point of view,’ said Acartor. ‘We need the Ecorian as much as we need the Everdonians.’

‘What yo
u say is true, Acartor, yet it is important for Eben to understands what is at risk,’ said Chiara.

‘
I will fight for the people of Veredor regardless of what happens with Princess Apherah. But you also must know that Princess Apherah can marry whoever she wants; King Edric also knows this. She will never marry King Lenard. In four days King Edric will march south, and King Lenard will march with him even if he hasn’t yet married Princess Apherah. The union between Irvaria and Everdon will not be important after the Prince of Shadows has been destroyed’

A loud
knock made them all turn. Again Red opened the door. More guardsmen had gathered outside to escort Eben out of the castle; they were growing impatient.

‘
By order of the King we must go now,’ said the palace guardsman. Eben, Red, Stella, and Cassiel stood up and were ready to leave.

‘If you ride south to Elcalee I will come
with Baftel and Arlen the day after you arrive,’ said Meara.

‘I will go south
with you, Ecorian,’ said Acartor. ‘There is much the Fiorians should share with you, and perhaps I can personally share some things that may help you in the battle against the Prince of Shadows.’

‘No,
Acartor, it is best that you stay here with King Edric and come south later,’ said Chiara. ‘You know most of the envoys well. You can do a lot to help foster the alliances. I will go with Eben and his friends to Elcalee.’

‘As you wish
, Gatekeeper,’ said Acartor.

**

The palace guardsman led them to their horses; the four horses were prepared and waiting for them outside the palace. Chiara had agreed to meet them at the southern gate of the city. They mounted their horses and looked up at the majestic palace one last time.

‘I hope we wi
ll have an opportunity to come back here one day,’ said Red sombrely.

They turned their horses and rode slowly toward the southern gate
of the city. The townsfolk took little notice of them. Even though the news had spread through the city that the Ecorian had returned they had no way of knowing that Eben was the Ecorian. They arrived at the southern gate and waited for Chiara about fifty yards outside the towering city walls.

Eben looked out across the land beyond the city. It was a
cool and misty afternoon, unusually cold for summer in Irvaria, but the land of Irvaria held to its natural beauty in any weather. The small villages surrounding Faircastle were splendid. Emerald green meadows stretched far and wide. Blooming colourful flowers could be seen in all directions.

From the gate a hooded person approached
in a long brown cloak. The person was carrying a parcel wrapped in brown leather tied together with twine. She pulled back her hood; Lila’s face was revealed.

‘Lady Lila, I thought you were confined to your chamber
s,’ said Eben, surprised to see her.

She smiled and nodded. ‘Some matters are worth being thrown in
to the dungeons for.’ She handed Eben the leather bound parcel. ‘This is a gift from Princess Apherah. She asked that you open it when you are alone.’

‘Thank you,
Lila. Please tell Apherah I will return as soon as I can.’ He could feel that the contents of the parcel were soft.

‘
I will, Eben Ecorian. I must hurry back. I wish you the best for your journey,’ she said, smiling brightly. She then turned and walked quickly away toward the gate.

**

The road south from Faircastle to Elcalee led them through some of the most beautiful countryside they had ever seen. Hillsides of alders and groves full of silver birches frequented the roadside. Often they passed elaborate farmhouses and small picturesque villages where friendly village folk would always welcome them and ask them to stop for tea. Eben rode toward the back of the group with Chiara. Chiara’s fiery red hair was unusually bright, and her eyes were emerald green, and had a distinct gemstone quality.

‘
I first entered the Fiorian Order twenty one years ago. Your mother was my teacher in those early days; I knew her well. I was fortunate that she personally instructed me for my first year,’ said Chiara.

‘Can yo
u tell me about her?’ asked Eben.

‘She
was exceptionally graceful and a brave warrior, unsurpassed in the history of the Fiorian Order. She was a kind woman and wise beyond her years. Your father was also a courageous and honourable man. He was a pilgrim who walked the lands of Veredor. He stood against evil wherever it appeared. He carried the Sword of Midlight in those days. I remember when Kaloren and Elons first met in the halls of Emeril. He was visiting Emeril, the home of the Fiorian Knights, and had come to request assistance in the battle against the Northern Sorcerer Baramak in the Far Western Lands. He fell in love with your mother and followed her to Ancora. It’s exceptionally rare for a Fiorian to marry. We have to receive permission from the Gatekeeper of Emeril; such permission is rarely granted. I heard your parents married in the gardens of Stonehaven.’

‘
Stonehaven!’ exclaimed Eben.

‘
Yes, they stopped there on their journey to Ortaria. They were going east to battle Azagord and his army.’

‘Do you think my parents could
still be alive?’

Chiara stared ahead and pondered the question. ‘
Eben, I doubt they are living in Veredor. I’m truly sorry to tell you this. We tried to find your parents and discover what had happened. All our efforts failed. I believe the Prince of Shadows is the only one who can answer your question.’

‘
I will ask him,’ said Eben resolutely, feeling anger and determination rise through his body.

‘I believe you will have the chance to,’ sa
id Chiara.

**

The company stopped at a small village called Far Field. The inn was situated at the southern edge of the village. Later in the evening Eben sat in his small room and opened the leather wrapping of Apherah’s gift. Instantly he could see carefully folded purple material. He gently unfolded the material. The Ecorian white unicorn was revealed; he realised that he was holding the Ecorian flag. His heart skipped a beat when he fully unfolded the flag. He found a sealed letter and a rectangular glass case holding two wedding candles. The white wax seal showed the emblem of the Irvarian white dragon. He broke the seal and opened the letter.

Dearest Eben,

I will wait until you return with these candles to Faircastle. We will raise this flag together.

With love,

Princess Apherah of Irvaria

Eben felt his heart fill with joy. A renewed sense of energy and hope filled his body. In that moment he wanted to ride back to Faircastle to see her again, but with a little consideration he decided all things were as they were meant to be. He would first fight the Prince of Shadows and then return triumphantly to Faircastle and marry Princess Apherah.

He lay on his bed
and stared at the ceiling with a smile. He couldn’t sleep; happy thoughts swirled in his head.

**

The following morning they set out early and made for Elcalee. Eben rode quietly at the rear of the group, watching the countryside pass by as they made their way south through Irvaria. Red slowed his horse to ride beside Eben.

‘You
seem quiet today,’ said Red.

‘
I am just thinking about the future.’ Eben knew Red could read him well. He glanced across at his best friend.

‘You mean that you’re
thinking about Princess Apherah?’ Eben looked ahead and didn’t answer. They rode on for a little while longer ‘It is clear you have fallen for her. You’re glowing with happiness.’

Eben looked across at Red and nodded.
‘Yes, Red, I only hope this campaign in the south doesn’t last too long. I want to ride back to Faircastle now.’

‘A few more weeks and
we will be on our way back.’

Eben laughed. ‘
I can hardly imagine this feeling being stronger.’

‘It w
ill grow stronger and more real, I guarantee it,’ said Red, looking forward at Stella who was riding thirty yards ahead with Chiara. ‘And the gift she sent. What was that all about?’

‘Just a flag,’ replied Eben, not wanting to reveal anything about the candles and
the letter.

‘What kind of flag?’ asked Red curiously.

‘The flag of the Ecorian Empire,’ said Eben.

Red was
stunned by this admission. ‘She wants you to be the Ecorian Emperor. Perhaps King Edric won’t have much of a say after all. If you marry Apherah then you will eventually rule Irvaria and the Sapphire Throne. From such a position it would be easy for you to become the new Ecorian Emperor.’

‘
You know me well, Red; I’m a hunter, a villager, and these days I’m an adventurer, but I’m not a ruler. It would cause a lot of tension and perhaps even a war if I made a claim to the Sapphire Throne. You saw the hostility when my existence was revealed. I couldn’t be responsible for causing a war.’

‘
If you were Emperor I could be one of your knights.’

‘Thanks, Red, but I don’t think it will ever happen.
It’s not something I want. My hopes are similar to yours. I just want a simple and quiet life. I want to find a peaceful place somewhere and settle down and live happily.’

‘We wi
ll just have to wait and see what the future holds,’ said Red.

They rode on throughout the day. The light of day started to fad
e. In the distance they could see three towers rising from a grey stone fortress which was shaped like a giant square block. As the road took them over a hill they could clearly see the town and fortress of Elcalee ahead. The fortress rose about a hundred yards in height above the surrounding town. Three towers ascended about another forty yards further from the top of the main structure. To Eben Elcalee looked more like a massive watchtower than a fortress.