Destined

5. Here to Help

We were led inside past a large double stairway at the entrance leading up to a second floor and long hallways as the guard strode ahead of us. Simon out of all of us was colder than anyone, but Kay started to shiver himself. Dane and Artemis did not seem to bother as did me and Zelme. Alric remained quiet and followed suit.

Soon, we heard arguing up ahead. Many voices I had never heard, but one I recognized as Annalise. We wandered in behind the guard and he left us there, but not before making one last frown at Zelme.

We found ourselves in a large hall with many people gathered at a long table discussing matters of state.

"Lady Annalise, you know the situation cannot be ignored anymore. Your father is not getting any better and with your sister in the grave, we are not going to last much longer. People have no security now that she has passed."

"Lord Halden, do not presume that I must marry a man who has not earned the right to my hand." Annalise scowled at the lord across from her.

The lord sighed and shook his head. He was older than her with greying hair and a pale complexion. "My lady you ran off to save a prince who was foolish enough to get himself in trouble and now you claim it unnecessary that he cannot return the favor."

I wandered over and a few of the people at the table noticed me. I smirked. "I hope you know that foolish prince did come to return the favor. Annalise," I glanced at her and bowed at my waist. "I thank you for what you did, but I do have one more favor to ask of you."

Annalise softened her expression. "You should not be here, your highness. I did not ask for you to intervene."

I rose and grinned. "No you did not, but I do have my own reasons for coming to your homeland. When someone helps me, I find it hard not to return the favor."

"This is His Highness, the one you saved?" Lord Halden asked gesturing at me with his hand as Annalise called him. "Do you do this often in his presence? My lady, you cannot refuse him when he asks anything of you."

She glared at him.

I scoffed at his all but respect for me. "She does not need permission to deny me, but I am here for another reason as well."

She sighed. "This is not your problem, so please leave." She made a fist on the table.

"No," I glowered at her and when her eyes met mine, they shuttered. "As much as this bothers you, I think you know why I am here. He is making a move, and if my vision is right, then it will happen right here."

"How certain are you that it is him?" She got up from her chair and her fist fell to her side. "Your Highness, if you are suggesting what I think you are, then how long have you known?"

I stopped acting princely and relaxed my posture. "Two months it has been the same dream, and not a restful one. I receive visions like my father and so far, none of mine have been wrong. Amerlise is in trouble and I fear this will be the battle foretold to me by the maidens." I locked eyes with her. "I will not pretend anymore that I know what I am doing, but I know what I am fighting for. So, will you let me help?"

Annalise sighed and returned her attention to those gathered at the table. "His Highness was the reason I left a few months ago, but the person who I went to aid was a man who has yet to say a word." She glanced over at Zelme and everyone at the table realized he was there and he sighed.

"Annalise, you did not need to do that for me." He answered her but there was a softness to his tone. "I know full well what everyone in Amerlise has been calling me all these years."