To Save a Kingdom

Chapter 9

"It's Joseph's birthday in a few days." I said looking at mother across the table. She stirred her soup but I could tell she was listening to me. "I want to go and visit him at King Theo's castle." I said.

Mother stopped stirring to look up at me.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" She asked.

"Of course." I replied. "I want to see Joseph and I'm sure that he would like to see me."

Mother was silent as she thought about what I said.

"I miss him." I admitted quietly.

Her face softened and she offered a smile to me. "Of course you can go."

Her reply surprised me and I practically leapt out of my chair. "Of course you will take a guard with you for protection."

"Yes I'll take Jared with me I'm sure he would like an opportunity to see Joseph."

A small smile that I didn't understand pulled at mother's lips.

§

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather travel in a carriage?" Jared asked.
I turned in my saddle to look at him with a raised eyebrow. Jared was smiling at his joke. He knew me better than anyone.

"What fun would that be?" I asked him.

"We could sit back and relax." He said. "Enjoy the journey."

"You've never ridden in a carriage have you?" I asked him.

He looked at me blankly.

"They are anything but restful. Bouncing around on every little pebble. And besides, I couldn't beat you if we were in a carriage!" I yelled as I urged my horse into a gallop.

"You can't beat me even when we are out of a carriage!" Jared yelled from behind me.

We arrived at a ridge that overlooked king Theo's castle. The sight took my breath away.

"That's not something you see everyday." Jared commented and I shook my head. It wasn't something you saw everyday. King Theo's castle was magnificent.

"Come on. Let's go see Joseph." I said directing my horse. Jared followed along behind me. With each step we took the castle seemed to grow in size and beauty. I tried to see every detail but it was impossible. I could have spent days looking at the outside of the building and I still wouldn't have been able to see all of the different carvings in the stone. There were many scenes depicted in the stone walls. As we approached I looked a a specific scene. It seemed to be a man and a woman. It was the story of their reign. When I looked over at Jared he was also studying the walls with an awed expression.

We came to the front gates and dismounted. A boy rushed out to greet us. He took our horses and Jared fished around in his pocket for a coin to give him. The boys eyes sparkled at the coin then he snatched it up and went on his way leading the horses behind him.

The front doors opened and an old man marched out. He looked us up and down making me realize what a sight we must be. Our hair was windswept and our clothing was wrinkled from the journey. I tried my best to straighten the cloth of my shirt and pants to be somewhat presentable until I realized it was pointless.

"Yes?" The old man asked as he approached us.

"Hello." I said in a sweet voice. "I am the princess Eve... Well actually I'm no longer a princess I guess." I said with an awkwardly forced chuckle. The old man just stared at me with one raised eyebrow. "I..." I stammered then Jared jumped in.

"We are here to see Joseph. He recently agreed to a marriage with the princess."

"Of course." The old man growled then turned on heel and marched back through the doors motioning for us to follow. Jared and I shared a confused look then rushed to follow the old man. Keeping pace with him proved to be difficult he walked the pathways expertly at top speed.

He took us straight to a large set of doors. There he motioned with his hand for us to go in. The doors swung open without a sound as if they had been well oiled. I made sure Jared was with me before I went through the doors. He stood right at my side as we went in.

We were in the throne room and it was beautiful. I stared wide eyed at all of the things in the room. What held my attention was the large man sitting in the throne many paces ahead of me. He looked straight at me with an amused expression on his face.

"Hello." He said happily. "Who are you?"

"I'm Eve. Joseph's younger sister." I replied.

"Of course!" He boomed causing me to jump at his loud tone. Jared took a step closer to me to the point that we were almost touching. By his stance I could tell that something was wrong.

"Where is my brother?" I asked king Theo. At my words his face fell. He seemed to be terribly sad about my question. He stood from his throne and walked towards me. As he approached Jared took another step forward. Right now he was the only thing between me and the king. Jared had his left hand behind him a few inches from my waist prepared to shove me out of the way if anything were to happen.

The King noticed Jared's protective stance and stopped his approach. "What is it son?" The king asked as if he were oblivious to Jared's expression.

Jared was being completely ridiculous in my opinion. I walked around his hand and stood in front of him. His fingers reached to grab my wrist but I brushed him off. "Where is my brother?" I whispered.

King Theo's head fell against his chest with a sorrowful look on his face. "He's dead." Was his reply.