The Illyrian Series: The Oracle Of Rosedale

The Caledonian forces charge through the castle's gates. My mother's voice comes out strained as she says, "come, darling, we mustn't watch this."

My feet stay rooted to the ground, I look down as Father's army meets the King of Caledonia's head-on. I want to shout, tell him to stop, that he will lose. But nothing comes out, I can only stand there and watch the battle unfold.

I spot King Evander instantly, he readies his sword and runs up to Father. "Run." I choke in my smallest voice. Even if he heard me, he wouldn't listen. Kings don't run from war, they come out victorious, or they don't come out at all. He gets off his horse and stumbles to the ground. He then gives out a loud cry and rises to his feet, leaving a pool of blood where he previously lay.

He picks up his sword and steadies for his final battle. My mother clutches the railing of the limestone balcony and releases a bone-chilling scream. Father looks up at us and mouths something I can't comprehend.

King Evander raises his sword and stabs him in the back. The blade pierces through father's armour and he crumples to the ground, his eyes never leaving ours.

Our few remaining soldiers start dropping their weapons. King Evander shouts victoriously and his army joins in.

I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look back at the oldest council member, Amell. He has a grave look on his face.

"Follow me, your majesties. Quickly, before he comes." He takes us in each of his hands and drags us away. Mother protests with tears streaming down her face, she's tugged by Amell. "The Queen and I will meet with King Evander. For now, stay in your room. You will be summoned when you are needed."

We walk past long corridors before stopping in front of my bedroom door. Amell opens it and throws me inside. I turn to my mother, she's still sobbing uncontrollably.

I'm not completely sure what is happening. Is my father actually dead? Are we next? I want to ask these questions but I'm unable to form anything more than incoherent mumbles.

The door slams shut and I sink to the ground, finally allowing the tears to fall. Gentle arms wrap around my shoulders. The musky smell of sweat and washing soap fill my nose and I soon hear Rainey singing a soft lullaby.

After a few minutes, she helps me up and wipes my face with a wet handkerchief. "It's okay, Adria. Everything will be alright."

"King Evander won the war," I whisper. "It is over for all of us."

She sighs deeply and moves on to my hair, carefully detangling all the locks. I'm so preoccupied with my thoughts, I don't notice when she starts putting safflower powder on my cheeks.

She makes me stand up and begins to adjust my green and golden dress. "What are you doing?" I ask.

She chuckles softly and adjusts her greying hair under her black bonnet. Something she does when she's nervous. "You looked horrendous when you walked through the door."

"It doesn't matter what I look like. My death is imminent." My tone still hasn't gone above a whisper.

Rainey has a sad smile on her face. "If everything goes according to plan, you will live a long and hopefully happy life."

My head throbs and I feel a migraine forming. "I don't have time for this Rainey, what are you hiding?"

"It's not my place to tell. Just to make you look presentable." She walks to the door and knocks softly. It swings open.

Outside is a guard bearing the insignia of Caledonia on his chest. I back up slowly till I'm pressed up against the bed. "No, no." Fresh tears are rolling down my cheeks.

"He will not hurt you, my dear. He will just escort you to the throne room." Rainey takes my hand and leads me to the door.

The soldier grabs my elbow and squeezes it forcefully. I wince in pain and Rainey scowls.

"Be gentle with her." She reaches for the soldier's fingers and tries to pry them off of me. He uses his other hand to hit her right cheek. The impact sends her to the marble floors.

I try to run to her but the soldier strengthens his hold on my arm. He doesn't release his grip as he drags me down the hall and many stairs to the throne room. We reach the doors and he finally lets go to push me through.

The sight I witness makes my stomach churn. King Evander is seated lazily on father's throne with the few remaining council members kneeling in his front. My mother is standing by his side, her face is dry and emotionless.

King Evander notices me and rests his back on the throne. "Adria." The sound of my name on his lips fills me with rage. " You may come forward."

I scowl. I may come forward? In my own father's throne room?

I stand by the door, daring him to react to my insubordination. The council members all turn to me with frightened expressions. I don't budge, if this is the 'life' Rainey was talking about, I don't want it.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" King Evander sits up. A look flashes through my mother's face and she steps forward.

"Adria, there's no need to be frightened. Come forward at once." She reassures in a scratchy voice.

I brace myself and begin the steady march to the throne. My steps are slow and precise, I stare at every corner of the room to avoid looking anyone in the face. I scan the portraits of past kings hanging around, and the lush golden carpet that runs from the door to the silver throne.

As I inch closer, the council moves aside so I can stand directly in front of the king. I stare at my feet.

"She's stubborn." He speaks.

I hear my mother's voice. "She is in shock. As is to be expected, your Grace."

Then silence.

"I'll forgive her just once. Consider this act a wedding gift."

I finally look up. My mother can't meet my eyes.

Amell clears his throat and King Evander gestures for him to stand. "We should begin work on the statement, your Grace. It will be released to the people by nightfall."

King Evander coughs and nods. "Good. I do not wish to waste more resources squashing rebellions."

The rest of the council rise to their feet, bow, then leave.

Only three of us are left in the room.

"We will be journeying back to Caledonia in two days," the king says to my mother.

"Of course, your Grace. If there is anything you require, I am at your service." She bows deeply then walks up to me. "Adria, we must begin preparations."

"Preparations, wedding gift? Mother, what is happening?" I know what's happening, I'm not a fool. I just refuse to believe until I hear it from her mouth.

"Stop your questions at once." She whispers to me.

The king stands up from the throne and ambles forward. "No, Selene. I should tell her what is happening." My heart beats louder with each step he takes and I'm scared of what he'll do to me. "Your imprudent father engaged in a war, and he lost. I have taken control of your kingdom and your mother proposed marriage to me." I shake my head, she wouldn't do that. "Our marriage will cement my rule over Illyria."

"No." I shake my head. "No, that's not..." He cuts me off by placing his calloused hand on my neck. "I would have killed you, but as per my agreement with your mother, you will live. If I hear so much as a word of protest from you, any act of disobedience, any mention of this fallen country. I will not hesitate to have your head on a platter. Am I clear?"

I struggle against his tight grip on my neck. I'm about to go unconscious when he releases me and I crumple to the ground, just like father. My mother encircles me in a hug and I cry into her perfumed shoulder.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have nobles to behead." He unsheathes father's sword, dried blood on the blade, and walks out of the throne room, shutting the door behind us. I hear a loud clang as the door is bolted shut, and mother holds me tighter.

She adjusts my hair and wipes my eyes with trembling fingers.

"How dare you? How could you betray father so quickly?" I ask in a sharp voice.

"Your father understood the risks of war. I promised him I would do anything to protect you." She's crying as well.

"This can't be the end."

She shakes her head. "He's killing every lord who won't swear fealty to him. Our army's number are a third of what they were at the start of the war. Our foreign allies have deserted us, the Sodalite washed their hands off this war months ago. The mages and sorcerers can't get involved... it's over."

"No. Father always says..."

"Your father is dead." Her eyes run dry. "This is the only way."

Her directness stuns me into silence. I don't utter another word.

King Evander releases us late at night. I go back to my room and take the sleeping elixir Rainey made for me. My sleep is heavy and packed with nightmares, each worse than the last. They all start the same way. I'm a child, running around without a care in the world, and end with me drenched in the blood of my loved ones, father's blade in hand.

I wake up by noon and see maids running in and out of my room. I don a purple silk robe and leave for my parents' bedroom a few halls away. Positioned on every corner is a Caledonian soilder. I put on a brave face and draw my robe tighter around my shoulders. I arrive at her chambers and mother is walking around, humming to herself.

She spots me and her grin widens. "You're awake, marvelous. Rainey says she's almost done with your packing."

"Why do you look so happy?"

A look of hurt flashes across her face for a millisecond. "Because it's a new day. We can't dwell on the past. All we have is the future to look forward to." She places one of her crowns in a black box and drops it on the bed.

"You're not happy." I accuse. "Your kingdom has been taken over, thousands have been killed and most importantly, your husband is dead."

Her lips tremble as she says. "We cannot change the past, darling. All we can do is try to find happiness in this time of misfortune."

"Misfortune?" I ask.

She ignores me and continues floating around the room in forceful bliss.

She doesn't notice when I leave her bedroom.

I don't see her again till the next morning, when we begin the somber journey to Caledonia. And our new lif.