10 Minute Tales

Jul 11 - Majesty

My earliest memory is fleeing for my life. I was riding a horse, my mother riding the same horse. My father had stayed behind, choosing to defend the castle to the last. I do not know what we were fleeing, only that it was vital we fled. For all of my wisdom, all of my mother's lessons, I know nothing of the kingdom my family once ruled. All I know is the land was taken from us, and that we must make a new world in a new land. To this end, she set me adrift on the waves, with only a small crew to feed me.

The storm claimed their lives.

It was some small mercy that I made it safely to shore. I was young and afraid, but I remembered the lessons mother had taught me. I was able to fend for myself, keeping myself fed through berries, warm and comfortable from the plants that surrounded me on this unknown island. What I lacked, though, was safety. Every night, the cursed darkness would sweep over the island, unknowable monsters prowling the ground. The first night nearly killed me; I only escaped by fleeing to the shore. The beasts refused to enter the light of the moon, and let me escape. That was the first night I had slept on the ground, and also the last.

I have survived for many years in this manner. I was even able to tame some of the wilderness, as I now have a horse of my own to ride. A fine black-furred mare, she now obeys my every command, and I help protect her. We were roaming the land in search of supplies when I saw something most peculiar. A single, golden disc. I was immediately fascinated; this had to be a coin, there was no mistaking it, but who minted it? I picked it up and put it in a small bag, looking around more intently now. I could see traces of civilisation, though one long expired. There were large stone blocks, clearly the remains of a castle. I had to see if there were any survivors out here! I spurred my mount on and looked around again. It wasn't until sunset that I saw a tent, hidden among the trees. I slid off the horse and looked around. Was I alone or not?

"Hello?" I called out, my voice a little hoarse from my decade of silence. "Is anybody here?" I had hoped for so long, but I didn't hear a reply. I looked into the tent. There were another two coins here. I suddenly heard a quiet creak behind me and grew still.

"Who are you?" a voice asked behind me.

"I... Lorraine. My name is Lorraine." I chose not to mention my heritage. He probably wouldn't recognise it.

"You're invading my territory."

"I'm... I'm trying to make a kingdom." I suddenly realised. If I could unite the people, I could help repel the fiends in the dark.

"A kingdom." the man behind me repeated. It was only logical that he did not believe me. "What right do you have to lead us?"