The Princess and Her Whipping Boy

The Beginning of the End

Rosalina started awake in fright. She was not sure what had awoken, but as her eyes slowly adjusted themselves to the merciless light, she saw a tall figure sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Silas?" she questioned, recognizing the silver-grey eyes .

Silas smiled beneath the veil that masked his lower face. "Dress warmly, my queen. Then meet me in the stable." Without another word of explanation, he rose to his feet and disappeared out the door. He trotted down the stairs and across the courtyard. As he entered the dark stable, he felt rather than heard or saw that he was not alone. He walked calmly to the saddles, before scooping one up in his arms and bringing it to the two waiting steeds. As he fixed the saddle on firmly, he spoke.

"I know you are skulking there in the dark, so come out." There was a sound of heavy footsteps, and Silas finally turned to face them. As he had suspected, it was none other than Lord Drakyn who had stepped out of the shadows.

"So there was truth to the rumours," Lord Drakyn sneered at him. "The prince wears a veil to hide his marred face. Do you not know the traditions of our people? The king is the face of the country, he must not bear such an unsightly mark for all to see."

Silas shrugged. "Go ahead, take me to the council for it. But while we are there, you too may as well confess your treason to this country. I know well that you were the one behind all this." He took a step closer. "Was this what you wanted?"

Lord Drakyn unconsciously stepped back. "I didn't think she had it in her to retaliate the way she did. She is insane."

Silas reached up and pulled the veil away from his face, causing Lord Drakyn to flinch at the hideous marks. "Let her be," Silas told him quietly. "Let us both be. I will wear this veil for the remainder of my life, and I will become Rosalina's anchor. Together we will raise Runen back to its glory of olden days. We will bear a son and raise him with the strict traditions of old. His heart will have no time to set on a woman, but the one we arrange for him to wed. I will never let him make the foolish mistakes we did. I give you my word."

Lord Drakyn eyed him in disbelief, before he snarled angrily. "What choice do I even have? The remaining members of council will not even leave their homes in fear of the queen. Everyone fears her madness. But a maddened ruler is better than none. As she is an only child, we have no choice."

Silas shook his head. "I want your word. I would not put it past you to kill her as soon as the heir is born." He paused then added. "Just as you did her mother."

"Fine, I give you my word, but you must get rid of that slave. The queen will always hesitate around him."

Silas bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Of course. Not even the wedding can be held while he lingers about. I will deal with it, so do not concern yourself."

Lord Drakyn scowled at him for a moment longer, before turning and disappearing into the shadows once more. Silas almost collapsed with relief, his legs feeling weak and unsteady. But he breathed in a deep breath and set about saddling the other horse. He had just finished when Rosalina cautiously entered.

"We are leaving the palace?" she asked, hesitantly. Her mind turned back to the day she had forced Cronan to see the sunset with her. In the end it had all been in vain.

Silas shot her a warm smile. "Yes, my queen. But worry not. The times of fear have passed. No one will seek to hurt you anymore."

"Because you are with me?" Rosalina asked. Her eyes studied him sharply, as if trying to gauge a hidden intention.

Silas shook his head. "Because you have grown stronger."

Rosalina seemed pleased with that, as she moved to her steed and allowed him to aid her up into the saddle. Swing up onto his own horse, Silas shot her a grin.