Heir

Chapter 1, Scene 1

Chapter 1

Deidra was awoken in the middle of the night by the sound of a scream echoing off the stone walls of Highcastle Keep. She knew immediately that this sound came from her young charge that slept in the bedchamber next to hers. Flinging aside her covers, the cold night air immediately stung her skin through her thin nightdress. She considered for a moment reaching for a robe, but quickly decided to forsake comfort and modesty in favor of haste. Instead, she snatched up the small dagger that lay always on her nightstand, in the same movement that launched her out of bed. With three quick paces she was at the door that connected her own bedchamber to that of the princess. She paused only a moment to take a quick breath and steel herself for whatever threat she might face in the next room. Then, with determination, she turned the knob and flung the door open, ready to fight – dagger, tooth, and nail – in the defense of her princess.

In Princess Carys’ bedchamber, Deidra found no looming threat. The girl sat bolt upright in her bed, staring blankly ahead with a look of terror distorting her pretty, young face. Her dark curls were matted, and her nightgown was soaked with sweat. Her covers were tangled and tossed aside as if in a fit. She turned to Deidra with a start when the handmaiden burst into the room. Deidra quickly concealed her dagger in the sleeve of her nightdress, not wanting to alarm the girl.

“Is everything alright?” Deidra asked, moving to sit at the princess’ side. With a gentle hand she brushed a lock of curls away from the girl’s face. Carys looked back at Deidra with an expression that conveyed a mix of fear and confusion. Deidra had come to serve Queen Morwyn as a handmaiden at the age of fourteen, just months after Carys was born. In the fourteen years since, she had never seen the girl look so distraught, except at the time of her mother’s death.

“I had a dream.” Carys finally said. “Like the ones Mother used to have.”

At that moment, the door leading from the princess’ bedchamber to the outer corridor half opened and one of the king’s guards leaned in.

“Pardon the intrusion, Milady, but we heard a scream.” The guard explained. “Is the princess in danger?”

“Everyone is safe.” Deidra assured the man as she instinctively rose from the bed and positioned herself to shield Carys from the man’s view. “Her Highness was merely disturbed by a dream.”

“Very well, Milady.” The guard bowed his head slightly and quickly ducked out of the room. Deidre again turned to the princess.

“What happened in this dream?” She asked, as she pulled the bed sheets up over the girl’s body to keep her warm.

“I’m not sure.” Carys confessed. “I saw my father’s throne empty. The castle was burning. We were at war, but the men were divided. And a strange man from another land cut through the soldiers like a reaper through a field of wheat. There was nobody who could resist him.”

“Where were your brothers?”

“I don’t know. I don’t recall seeing any of them.”

Deidra thought for a moment about what Carys had told her. She wasn’t sure what this dream meant, but it was clearly an ill omen. She had learned during her time with Queen Morwyn that such dreams granted by the Peering Eye were not to be ignored.

“Do not worry, Princess, everything will be all right. We will figure out what this dream means, and what we must do about it.” Deidra assured the girl. “But you must promise me not to tell anyone else about your dreams. You must tell only me. Do you understand?”

“Why?” Carys wondered.

“These visions are dangerous, and they will cause fear and panic if they come to be known by those who lack understanding.” Deidra explained. “Now, promise me.”

“I promise.” Carys finally confirmed.

“That’s a good girl.” Deidra said reassuringly. She held back her own golden strands as she bent over to kiss Carys’ forehead.

“Deidra, what’s happening?” A young voice suddenly interjected. It belonged to Prince Roan, Carys’ brother and her junior by two years. He stood at the open door to Deidra’s bedchamber, having crossed that room from his own to see why his sister had screamed. Deidra reflected for a brief moment on how handsome the boy looked, standing there in his nightshirt, his light-brown curls a tousled mess.

“Your sister had a frightening dream, but everything is alright now.” The handmaiden assured the young prince. “Go back to bed.”

Roan turned to his sister with a concerned look and hesitated only a moment before rushing to her side and throwing his arms around her in a tight hug.

“Are you alright?” He asked her. Deidra was touched by the sincerity in his voice.

“I will be.” Carys finally said, after returning her brother’s embrace. Deidra watched the boy comfort his sister for a moment, before restating her earlier directive.

“Can I just stay with her for a little while?” Roan begged. Carys said nothing, but she looked as if she was in no hurry for her brother to leave her side.

“Very well,” Deidra relented, “but only for a little while.”

The handmaiden returned to her own bedchamber. Her mind was racing with thoughts about the implications of the princess’ dream.

“What did you dream about?” Roan asked Carys.

“I promised Deidra I wouldn’t tell anyone else.” Carys responded after a thoughtful moment. She really wanted to tell her brother everything, but she trusted in Deidra’s wisdom.

“Was it about Mother?” Roan pursued. “I dream about her sometimes.”

“No, it wasn’t about Mother.” Carys also dreamt of their mother sometimes, but those dreams were never upsetting.

“Well, please don’t be frightened. You know that Deidra and I are always nearby. If you ever need me, I’m right here.”

“Thanks, Roan.” Carys acknowledged. “I’m here for you, too.”

*****