The Chronicles of Warshard (book 1): HAVEN

Chapter Two

"Toma really knows how to dance when he's had a few glasses of wine," Lareina laughed.  

When the four women entered Haven's chambers at the end of the night, the mood was high amongst her ladies, and low with the new Queen. The festivities had been grand, amusing, intriguing and most certainly fit for a coronation. But Haven's mind was elsewhere. Through all the luxury, there was something missing. She hadn't realized what until she returned to her bedroom that evening, kicked off her heels and lay in bed.

The young queen stared at the ceiling, her mind conjuring images of her deceased family. Part of her blamed them for leaving her with this burden. She couldn't fathom taking care of an entire kingdom herself. Haven was never meant to be Queen, but the moment her mother fell in a pool of blood in the main courtyard, she knew it was her only option.

"Queen Haven, are you alright?"

Looking up at her friends, Haven wasn't sure how long she'd been staring at the ceiling.

"I'm fine, just tired." She smiled faintly and sat up.

"We'll take our leave then," Lareina said. Haven didn't need to look at them to feel their worried gazes or hear their concerned whispers.

Once the doors closed softly, Haven stripped off her dress and jewels before diving into the safety of her sheets. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw blood.

Haven sighed and turned over. This time, when she closed her eyes, she saw brown curls and dazzling blue eyes tainted red. It had only been two weeks ago that the news had come of her family's demise – and it had come on the bloody lips of her mother.

That day Haven sat in the beautiful summer sunshine with Lareina, braiding her hair and laughing about something she couldn't quite recall. It was one of her many days of leisure in the great castle. She loved watching the people of Rythern go about their days. There was such intricacy in how everything came together so seamlessly.

Her bliss was soon shattered by a shout from the castle steps. Before Haven knew what had happened, Lareina jumped in front of her, sword drawn in a protective stance. What had everyone frozen in the courtyard wasn't something she expected to see.

Up the great castle steps limped her mother, Queen Denica Fyre. Blood soaked her riding clothes. Her left leg twisted at an awkward angle and a large cut ran diagonally across her face.

"Mother?" Haven whispered. Her voice cut through the surrounding silence like shattered glass. She pushed Lareina aside and ran. Before Haven could reach her mother, Denica collapsed. Blood quickly pooled around her still body. Shouts echoed through the courtyard, but Haven hardly heard them. She fell to her knees beside Denica, soaking her skirts in red. Two daggers protruded from her mother's back. Two pieces of obsidian had sealed two fates. "Mom?" She whispered, tears filling her eyes.

Her mother's face shifted slightly, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"My love. My Haven," she murmured. Haven bent to hear her, gingerly touching her shoulder and brushing her hair from her face.

"Mom, what happened? Where is father? Why are you-" her voice broke.

Denica's lips curved slightly in a ghost of a smile. Her fingers twitched beside her face. She was trying to move and frowned when she couldn't. This realization only made Haven's tears come faster.

"They killed everyone," she whispered. "Your father, your brothers... all those soldiers. They're all gone." Suddenly her eyes widened at the recollection. Fear stole her gentle gaze. Haven tried to soothe her, but Denica only shook her head and continued. "You'll be Queen now, my love. But you have to run. Haven, promise me you'll run." A cough wracked her mother's body. Denica shook and crimson dripped from between her lips. "You have to run," she repeated. "Promise me."