Strength of the Moonlight

Ghosts

"Your Highness, it is about time to hear the requests of our villagers." I cracked my eyes open and looked at the young girl that stood beside my bed. She appeared to be no older than sixteen years of age, wearing the all too familiar garb of one of the palace servants. She was new, only having been my hand maiden for maybe a handful of months. No one could replace my first. Her name had been Gira and I would never forget her or what she did for me.

Six long years had passed since the fateful night that shook Kingdom Alforya. It had taken a great deal of time to get things put back together and an even longer amount of time to heal the ache in all of our hearts. To this day I could still see Gira smiling at me, hear her telling me to stay strong, the fearful scream of her telling me to run. Shaking my head, I forced the memories from my mind and crawled out of bed.

"Thank you Victoria, will you fetch the light blue gown from the chest over there? I would like to wear that one today." She nodded and turned, her wheat blond hair fanning out behind her. I pulled off the chemise I had slept in, replacing it with the one Victoria had lain across the chest at the foot of my bed. After the incident, every piece of furniture had been taken from my room which led me to believe that the death occurring inside had been more brutal than even I could imagine. The chest was the only thing that I had requested simply be cleaned, stained, and remained in my room.

"I have heard that some villages only several days ride from here have been having attacks. Do you wonder if that will get brought to attention today?" She began helping me slip the blue gown over my head, starting on the laces at its back once we had it in place.

"Oh of that I am sure. I only hope that it is simply wild beasts and not something of note." Victoria pulled tightly on the last lace, causing me to exhale the last of my air. But once she was done, I looked beautiful. She spun my hair into a very elegant bun and pinned it in place with crystal laden pins. By the time she was done getting me ready, I looked like the queen that I was. Water that she had brought to wake me coated my dry throat and I put on my sweetest smile.

"What do you think? Am I ready to see the people?"

"My lady, you look stunning. I think the people will be most pleased."

"That is good Victoria. You did very well this morning, I am very impressed with how quickly you have caught on. I am lucky to have you at my side." I placed a light kiss on her fore head, ignoring the warm blush that crept up her cheeks. She beamed at me and together we left my chambers, heading directly towards the throne room.

Inside, I sighed. It was a room that I hoped I would not have to see as often as I do. Massive in structure, it was decorated with ornate features. The marble flooring was cleaned three times a day, the gray stone walls scrubbed twice. Gold accented metals made the rails and edges of the stair cases. I had opted to have it redone after the massacre, replaced the empty space with chairs for our guests to sit in always. Walking past them, I approached the throne where mother and father used to sit. I couldn't bear to have one of the thrones taken from the room, not even after father had passed. To have made it through the massacre as he did but to not have survived his illness seemed to me such a cruel fate.

"Gerald, will you have Nicholas and Darren stand beside me today? I would very much appreciate it if you could keep watch. I have heard rumor." Gerald was an older gentleman, maybe six over thirty years. His hair was peppered with grey and his smile warm. He was one of the best swordsmen that we had and also the captain of my guard. I trusted him with my life. I also trusted that he would be the first the recognize anything suspicious.