Tales of Cubonia

The Golden Hourglass 12 - The Escapee pt II

Alexandra had decided to be a dutiful daughter one last time before she left the castle for good and traveled into the wilds of Cubonia in search of the vilest monsters imaginable. If she was being honest with herself, she also wanted to see her family just one last time before they were gone forever. She really did love all of them, but she'd be damned if she was going to marry some lordling from who knows where just because she was born into the royal family. She knew her destiny lied outside the pomp of daily life as a Lady and buried itself in the dirty tracts of the wildlands.

The feast was finished and her family had situated themselves in their normal places on the balcony when Alexandra had emerged from her room after her encounter with what's his name. She approached slowly, taking in each suit of armor that lined the hall to the balcony with something bordering on adoration. She had never paid much attention to each great edifice before, but now that she knew she would never see them again, she was finally taking notice. They were quite beautiful in a terrible kind of way. Each one was Dwarven-made and nearly indestructible. Their bodies were similar, but each had a head crafted to look like a different beast, each one stunningly realistic. Just outside Alexandra's bedroom door was a lion in mid-growl. A few down from the lion stood a raven, regal in its implacable appearance. Across the hall from the raven was a unicorn with a horn made from ivory and a true mane made from golden unicorn hair. Further down near the balcony was Alexandra's favorite, and by far the most intricate of any of the expertly crafted helmets. A dragon's ferocious visage looked down on her with evil green eyes. It appeared so real, Alexandra could almost believe that it was a true dragon waiting for its moment to strike. It sent a shiver down her spine.

"It's quite beautiful, isn't it?" a voice asked from behind her. Alexandra turned to find her father in the entrance to the balcony, watching with amusement. She nodded.

Sir Raulf Henry, Duke of the EvenVale, was a slight man no more than eleven stone. His thinning auburn hair hung loosely out from his silver crown that was decorated with aquamarines. A five o'clock shadow of light stubble covered his face as if he had intended to shave, but never quite got around to it. He was dressed in a doublet of royal blue with the family crest stitched into the left breast. Alexandra never knew it because he would never say it out loud for fear of causing problems with his other children, but Sir Raulf had always considered his youngest daughter one of his favorites. Her natural inquisitiveness, stubborn attitude, and penchant for danger had charmed him immeasurably over the years. He knew how much she had wanted to leave the castle to hunt monsters, and wished with all his heart that she could have been baseborn so that she could have that freedom. The royal life was a maddening trap for someone like Alexandra, and it saddened him to think of her being forced into such. Quite often he would pray for the gods to strike him down at a fairly early age so he would never have to see his daughter tamed into submission.

"It's said that Sir Thadeus slew the last dragon on Cubonia," Sir Raulf said, putting his arm around his daughter. "I'm sure you know the story."

Alexandra nodded again. She had heard the story of Sir Thadeus's triumph over the Jabberwocky many times. It was one of her favorites and what inspired her to dreams of monster hunting in the first place.

Sir Raulf sighed. "I know that ladydom is not what you wish for your life, Alexandra, but sometimes life does not give us what we most desire. It is a bitter pill to swallow, true enough, but one that must be accepted if you wish to make it through life unscathed. Believe me, if I could make it different for you, I would."

Alexandra simply nodded again. She knew that her father could make it different, could stop her from being forced to wed, but she also knew he wouldn't dare stand against her Queen mother. Sir Raulf was much loved by the people and none more so than his family, but he was woefully spineless when it came to Queen Annelise. It mattered not to Alexandra now. She had already decided that she would be the one to make things different, to take her life into her own hands and control her own destiny.

"Come," said Sir Raulf amiably. "Your mother is about to make her speech. We should take our places at her side."

Alexandra allowed her father to guide her away from the suit of armor with the dragon helm toward the balcony. Queen Annelise was seated nearest to the balcony's ornate stone guard rail. Next to her was Sir Raulf's place, which he took dutifully. Set back slightly were several smaller thrones of an intricate and regal design; one for each of the royal children. All of Alexandra's siblings had already taken their seats. She looked over them with an odd sense of loss and regret. She would most likely never see any of them again. The thought was almost enough to stop her from leaving, but she steeled her resolve. If she gave in, did what was easy, she would never be happy. Alexandra took her place next to Moma who smiled at her but didn't say anything.

No sooner than Alexandra had sat, Queen Annelise had stood and approached the edge of the balcony to overlook the crowd that had gathered below. An untold number of people looked up from below to take in their queen. It had always amazed Alexandra how much the people loved her mother. She was an excellent queen to be sure, but so many of them loved her as if she was their own mother. Alexandra knew there was something to be said for inspiring that kind of loyalty.

A hush fell over the crowd as Queen Annelise raised her hands for quiet.

"My good people," she began, but before she could continue, there was a deafening blast over their heads that drew all eyes upward.

Had there not been a dazzling starburst of royal blue light, Alexandra would have believed they were under attack. As it was, it seemed that the old sot, Alastair, had started his show early.

Alexandra knew it was now or never. While all of her family's eyes were turned upward, she slipped out of her chair and snuck back into the hall that led to her bed chambers. The corridor was deserted which allowed her to make it to her room unnoticed. She said a quick thank you to the gods as she closed the door quietly behind her.

She would have to work fast. Alexandra had already packed a small travelling bag with only necessities days before and stashed it in the back of her wardrobe, ready to go at a moment's notice. She retrieved the rucksack and threw it over her shoulder. On the other side of the door she could hear shouting and commotion, which was surprising over the racket of the fireworks going on over their heads. They must know what she was planning and her mother was trying to stop her. Alexandra's heart began to race as she began gathering the rest of her things more quickly. She slid her new quiver over her other shoulder and snatched the bow off the bed where she had left it. The last thing she needed was the necklace.

It seemed the necklace was not where she had left it, however. In a panic, Alexandra began tearing the room apart looking for the piece of jewelry. She had only had it for a short time, but for whatever reason, Alexandra refused to leave without it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her reflection in the mirror on the far side of the room. The necklace glittered brilliantly around her neck. She reached up and ran a finger over the perfectly cut, flawless stones. Now that she realized it was clasped around her neck, she felt silly for not realizing she was wearing it, but she would have sworn moments before that she could not feel a single ounce of the string of jewels. Now that she thought of it, Alexandra could not ever remember actually taking the necklace off since her mother had first put it around her neck.

Alexandra was lost in thought for what seemed like an eternity before a voice she did not recognize broke her train of thought.

"I'm sorry to do this, princess," the voice said, "but I'm afraid I must relieve of that beautiful piece of jewelry."

She spun to find a man dressed in dark clothing standing just inside her door. He smiled gently and began advancing on her with outstretched hands. Alexandra's first instinct as the man reached for the necklace was to stop him at all costs.