The Royals of Silvercrest

1

Queen Ida's POV:

Emberfall

December 12, 1504

I sit staring out the window of the coach as the castle comes into view. The large stone structure is a magnificent sight, the stone structure reaching to the sky, the towers topped with blue bricks, making our castle stand out from a good distance away. Listening to the sounds of hooves trotting, I close my eyes, enjoying the sun on my face.

I had married to strengthen my kingdom and country at 17.

Now, I'm 23, a Queen with a prospering reign.

My husband, King Shane has always been complicated from the moment we wed. One moment he seemed the sweetest, the next he would fly into a rage. I did all I could to keep the peace and to avoid angering him. He had handled the burden of ruling from a young age, his father, King Raveo was slain in battle when Shane was only 14. He would have an advisor to side him until he was 17. We wed and I went from Princess to ruler of a nation. My closest female friends accompanied me to Silvercrest, becoming my Ladies in Waiting. They were sworn in and would serve me until the end.

The coach finally stops in front of the large castle.

King Shane stands waiting.

His crown sat atop his black curls.

I think of his blue eyes that remind me of the clearest sky.

He is tall and muscular.

Every bit the King that he is.

I had been traveling on business for the last few days, taking care of some issues in one of the towns. There had been a terrible flood. I showed up giving much needed resources. King Shane stayed at home, attending to his own duties. He opens the coach door, extending a hand.

I smile, taking it.

"You look lovely." He says bringing my hand up to his lips and placing a gentle kiss

My silver dress sparkles in the sun.

My red hair is tied up in braids, aiding me from the hot sun.

I stare at my husband, his dark green eyes staring into mine.

He has curly black hair, green eyes and soft white skin.

He towers above me by a few feet.

He wears black armor, a sword upon his hip.

"Thank you, my love." I say grinning

He wraps me up in his arms, his chin resting on my shoulder.

"I've missed you."

"As have I." I say wrapping my arms tighter

After a moment, we pull away.

"I have a surprise for you." King Shane says beaming

I take his hand and we make our way into the castle.

"Mommy!" A small voice rings out

I look down just in time to see a small girl wrapping her arms around my legs.

King Shane and I smile down at our daughter, Princess Ruby.

The little girl, age only 5, stares up at us, her green eyes bright, her long black hair waving as she bounces about excitedly.

King Shane clears his throat, giving Ruby a half-serious look.

Princess Ruby curtsies.

"Your Majesties." She says

I bend down, picking up my little girl, swinging her around.

She erupts in shrieks and giggles.

I hold her tight, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Hours later, the mood is quite different.

I sit upon my chair in one of the many meeting rooms inside the castle. The door opens and a gentleman enters, bowing before me.

"Sir Carlson, Your Grace." The royal announcer says

"Your Grace." Carlson greets

He stands and I motion him forward.

"Tell me why you have come, good sir." I say gesturing for him to sit.

He obliges, sitting down.

One of the cup bearers, a girl of perhaps 10, with short blonde hair and blue eyes makes her way over, pouring wine into his cup then retreats.

"I cannot stay long. I have come to inform you of a...delicate mater."

He clears his throat before continuing.

"House Gavos has fallen." He tells me gravely

House Gavos, one of the oldest families in the kingdom.
Their faces flash in my mind. The kind gentleman Lord and his Lady wife were always very kind and were a force when threatened. From the stories I'd been told, had some of the firecest sword fighters ever seen. My father even had the instructors sailed to our kingdom when I was young to train our soldiers and knights. It came at a high prince but he paid the cost for our protection.My father had been a kind and decent man, unless crossed.

"How?" I ask

Such a statement has caught me off guard but I try not to let it show.

"It was an act of treason. Death by poison. The inside of the castle rooms in which they stayed were fortified from the outside. If they had survived, they would not have been able to get aid." Carlson informs me

I take this news in.

An entire house struck down in one night.

"Has the perpetrator or perpetrators been captured?" I ask

"No, Your Grace. I have come from Castle Boltan. It is rumored that whomever it was fled on dragonback, stealing a dragon from the stall and hid away , somewhere inside your kingdom. From where I could not say."

"I shall send out riders and ravens immediately. Please send my condolences to..." I trail off realizing there is no one left to tell of their deaths.

There is silence for a moment.

"Please send word to anyone who can be of trusting aid. Rest assured, we shall not let the guilty roam free."

"I shall at once, Your Grace." He says before making his exit.

I leave my chambers, my knights following closely behind as I head for the knight's quarters. I speak to a small group of them once I enter, ordering them to guard the Princess and to not leave her side until ordered to by me.

They nod in compliance before taking off to fulfill my instructions.

This only gives me slight relief.

There is a murderer or murderers loose in our kingdom.

What if they attack again?