All Darkness Dies in Light

Be someone's light when they are hopeless

         I had never ridden in a carriage before. It felt cramped, all six of us forced inside. Greyson sat facing forward with Jemma and Callie on either side. Riding backwards was Enna and me while I held Tayla on my lap. Hanne had a hard time saying goodbye. Enna almost had to rip the two apart. Tayla kept her face buried in my neck the whole journey.

The travel was miserable and took all day. My legs were stiff and my back ached. There was little talking except from Enna who lectured her children on the proper way to act once we arrived.

"Remember to keep your heads up," she ordered. "You're royalty and never forget that. The usurper will regret ever trying to take your throne."

"What will happen when we get there?" Callie asked, her delicate hands gripping Greyson's arm with worry.

"That usurper will stand down, of course," Enna scoffed. "He'll beg Greyson for forgiveness. Which he won't get. Son, if I may offer you this wisdom; rule with an iron fist. Show everyone your power. Have that false king hanged in front of the kingdom. That'll show everyone not to test you."

I sighed, rubbing Tayla's back soothingly. All this talk of death was upsetting her. Not that Enna cared. I wished Hanne had been allowed to come with us. She could take care of Taya far better than I could. But Enna would throw a fit if she tried. It might make her seem weaker to the eyes of the court, the fact that she was unable to keep her husband's urges satisfied.

But now he was royalty, was he not? And didn't royals always have lovers on the side?

We had to stop for the night at a tavern. How strange it was to be the one being served. The Lord of Light, Quin was his name and Gethin was his son, had insisted on paying for us. He seemed quite determined to ensure that Greyson had an easy journey. I suppose becoming a king meant a lot of people would be doing that.

"Jemma, my love," Enna said when we were almost there after many days traveling. "Fix your hair. When we enter that throne room, many eyes will be on you. Who wouldn't fight for the hand of the beautiful princess? Greyson, you should host tourneys early one to see who may win your sister's hand. We want only the best."

Well Greyson had a lot to do once he became king. First he had to have a man killed. And after that he had to find a Lord for Jemma to wed. I wondered when he would have time to get married himself. Better yet, when would he find time to actually rule?

Truly the world was going end soon.

As the carriage came to a stop and we finally stepped out, I couldn't deny the awe upon seeing the castle for the first time. It was quite a sight to behold. Beside me, Tayla squeezed my hand as the massive castle loomed overhead.

Eight thin, round towers formed a protective wall on two sides of the castle and were connected by large, massive walls made of light red stone. There were small windows scattered here and there across the walls in a seemingly random pattern, along with small holes for... Well I didn't know what they were for. But I was certain that they had a purpose.

There were well kept gardens with fragrant flowers, gorgeous trees and many bushes decorating the outside of the castle. Despite its age, it felt relatively new, I couldn't explain why though.

We crossed through a regular gate with huge metal doors, an average bridge and a moat to enter the warm haven within these cold, isolated lands . It appeared to be the only entrance.

And just like that, we were inside the castle.

Lord Quin led the way. We passed many rooms, went through many halls, more than I could count. Everything was suddenly happening so quickly. I squeezed Tayla's hand as we hurried along, reassuring myself that she was still there.