Crownless

Chapter 5

The next morning, I raced to tell my father of my dreams. For the first time in my life, I saw fear strike my father's eyes. He demanded everyone clear the room. My mother had worry plastered all over her face. The room got quiet as everyone processed their thoughts.

"Your mother and I know a seer outside the glimmer, we shall tell her what your dreamt and report back with news.'' He kissed my cheek. " Go train with your brothers. We'll be back." He grabbed my mothers hand as they made arrangements to leave the kingdom. I was headed toward the east wing when I heard footsteps approaching.

" Your grace." I turned to see a beautiful, curly-headed set of twin women bowing down. 

"Cousins, get up." I lifted them up to eye level again. "How are you?" I hugged them both.

 "Not good, can we speak with you?" They whispered anxiety high in their voices. Their eyes kept wandering around as if they're scared someone will hear. I wrapped my arms around them as I led them somewhere private.

"Yes, come." I brought them to my chambers. I sat at my vanity as they stood and fidgeted with their fingers. They were clearly nervous one was biting her lip as the other was pacing.

"My sister is pregnant." Jamila motioned for her sister to take her cloak off. Kamila smiled nervously. My jaw dropped as I took in her round belly, then was quickly replaced with a smile. "Does the father know?" I wondered as I powdered my nose. Kamila shook her head.

 "No, he's a man of power. I would ask him to claim him, but there are rumors." Her voice shook. My face fell, not in judgment, but in pity for the child and my cousin. It finally dawned on me that she mentioned rumors. I got up and led her to my bed.

"Rumors of what?" I rubbed her back in consolidation. 

"War. I don't want my family to die." Her eyes teared up. My jaw dropped, I wondered who was snooping in our conversation. I have to tell father right away.

 "These rumors, are they common? Or just a few servants gossiping?" I requested. 

"Common throughout the castle. A gardener overheard a conversation about chaos coming to Icaria." Jamila grabbed my hand. "As our Queen, as our cousin, please send us to live outside the glimmer. Our father knows people that will care for us, we just need transportation." A tear escaped her eye. 

"We beg of you." Kamila rubbed her stomach. My eyes softened. My dear cousin deserves a happy family. I sat up quickly.

"Come with me.'' I grabbed their hands and led them to our guards. "Get them to the King and Queen, they will be traveling with them." I bribed the guard. 

"Yes, your majesty." I nodded in gratitude. 

"Be safe my cousins." I hugged them both. I felt a little better knowing they'll be safe from the witches wraith. My blood ran cold at the dream I had. I snapped back to the present and gave them a smile, trying to hide the horror on my face.

"We will be, my Queen." They bowed and walked away. I watched as they approached my parents. Seeing that they were safe, I headed to my brother's chambers.

"Trystan, come." I grabbed my brother's hand. "We should counsel with mother and father when they return." I sat on his bed. He put the book away that he was reading and faced me.

"What is it?" Concern filled his young face. 

"Rumors have spread throughout the castle, everyone fears their lives, as they should." I stroked his hair. 

"Sister, I don't want to die." He laid his head on my lap.

 " No one wants to die..." I gulped. "But as I have breath in my lungs, I will protect you, little one." I kissed his cheeks. "Go find your brother and play. You have a long day of training." I smiled at him. He jumped from the bed and exited the room. 

I sat in my chambers after I trained with the boys. 

"Your Highness, the King and Queen have returned." My guard bowed. I nodded and jumped off his bed. 

"Thank you." I ran to the throne room, searching for my parent's faces. I made it there before they did, and I turned to see their sullen faces. " Mother and Father!" I ran and hugged them. They embraced me back. "Did the twins find you?" I asked. 

"Indeed they did, they told me of the rumors spreading. We have to calm everyone down before chaos and panic spread." He raspily said worry thick in his words. 

" Father, we must meet," I said dismissing the servants. The only people left in the room was my family and my father's advisers. I cleared my throat as I sat down, waiting for him to give me his undivided attention.

"Yes, we do." He sat on his thrown. His bags under his eyes appeared very dark, showing his stress and worry. I'm used to seeing my father so happy, strong, a true leader. It breaks my heart seeing him like this.

"What did the seer see?" I bit my lip nervous about what he may say. 

"She said you had not a dream, but a vision." My mother crossed her legs. My pulse quickened as the weight of her words sunk in.

 " A vision... That can't be so." I paced back and forth. I'm not a psychic nor am I a witch. My confusion 

"The seer said there will be a great betrayal, the carnage of Icaria." My father added running his calloused hands over his face. 

" We have to warn the people, we have to do something," I exclaimed. 

"That we will, those that have a place to go." My mother sat straight. 

"We will die, that is our burden to accept, but my people shall live." My father stood up angrily.

 "My children shall live.." My mother's voice broke. My heart dropped at her words. I want us all to live. To rule forever. I fought the urge to sob like a child, but I would not. I need to stand tall, to be strong in this situation.

"You will be Queen for a few moments before the witch steals the throne." My father muttered. "Lead your people better than we did." His voice quaked. My eyes widened. I hope I'm half the leader as they were.

We announced to the people of Icaria the upcoming events. We didn't give details. Everyone was shocked. Some were angry. Some were loyal and chose to stay and fight. People began booing my father's words.

"If you have shelter outside of the glimmer, I suggest making preparations immediately." My father commanded. " If anyone wishes to stay and fight, you may." He insisted. We needed anyone who was willing to fight for Icaria, to not lay down at the witches feet.

"Men sign up with the army, women volunteers meet with the infirmary to help as you may." The Queen ordered. She finished her speech and I just spaced out. This real. Really real. 

"Children will be escorted by the guards to a safe place beyond the glimmer if you survive this meet with them there." My father continued. " Your King and Queen will bleed for our people. Our daughter will lead you to victory this I'm sure of." The crowd cheered at his words. I gulped. I hope I'll make you proud.