Forgotten Vale

Chapter 1

Ashton watched the king sadly. He had become so frail and sick. Everyone in the court knew his final days were nearing, but it did not soften the blow for Ashton. The king had always been kind to him, even as a child. Sort of like an uncle, or a grandfather. And to see him in such a state was heartbreaking.

Ashton glanced up as the door to the king's chamber swung open. He relaxed when he saw that it was just Lucas, the king's only son.

"You sent for me, Father?" Lucas said coldly, striding over to his father's bed.

"It is time for the blessing," King Magnus croaked. Ashton and Lucas both winced at how faint and shaky the king's voice was. "Bring in Charley," King Magnus commanded Ashton. His voice sounded more authoritative until he burst into a coughing fit. Ashton bowed deeply before turning and walking out of the room.

Ashton felt a sense of relief leaving the sick king's room. He felt guilty, but he hated seeing the king in such a state of deterioration. It was depressing.

Ashton turned one of the corners in the castle and headed up a set of stairs to Mage Charley's study. Breathing in deeply, Ashton knocked on the door and waited patiently. Just as he was beginning to wonder if the old man was there, the door creaked open and Mage Charley appeared in the doorway.

"What is it?" he snapped.

"The king has requested your presence," Ashton replied, unfazed by the old man's sharpness. "It is time for the blessing."

"Well why didn't you say so, boy? Time's a wasting!" Mage Charley retorted. He pushed Ashton aside, shut the door behind him, and then raced down the steps. He's quite spry for an old fellow, Ashton thought to himself.

Once they reached the king's chamber, Mage Charley wasted no time in placing the blessing vow over the king and his son. He chanted several words under his breath and waved his staff around the pair. Ashton watched in fascination. He had never before seen the blessing vow. The blessing vow was only to be between a father and his eldest son on the father's death bed. It was basically a contract for the son's inheritance. Ashton's own father had died in battle so he hadn't been able to make the vow. Ashton reached up and fingered his necklace self-consciously. It had been his father's wedding ring. His mother used to wear it but since her demise several years before, Ashton had begun wearing it. It was a good luck charm of sorts.

After Mage Charley placed the incantation over King Magnus and Lucas, he had them grasp forearms and Lucas had to swear fealty to King Magnus. Although Ashton didn't understand this part of the ceremony since the king would be dying anyway. But he figured it must have just been for show.

Finally, the blessing vow was finished and Lucas stepped away from his father's bed. Mage Charley uttered the usual death blessing before walking out of the room. Ashton noticed that Lucas looked paler than usual, despite his calm façade. King Magnus raised a shaky hand and beckoned for Ashton. Ashton walked over to the king's bed and knelt beside it, taking the king's hand in his own. He winced at how frail his hand was. Thin and bony, like a skeleton.

"Take care of her for me," the king murmured weakly.

"With all due respect, your majesty, the queen is dead," Ashton explained patiently.

"Not the queen," the king continued. He started hacking violently but he managed to whisper, "the girl, you must find the girl and bring her to the palace."

And then the hacking stopped. His grip on Ashton's hand lessened until his hand slipped from Ashton's. Ashton stood up and turned away from the king, tears gathering in his hazel-green eyes.