Echoes in Darkness

Chapter 12 - Dahiell

The trumpets blared as the carriage came to a stop in front of the palace. The Princess of Ambri came two days early. My father was dead set on me marrying her before the end of the year.

She stepped out of the carriage with the help of her father, King Yerson. She had ash blonde hair pulled back, and was wrapped tightly in a navy blue cloak. She walked up the steps, and up to my family. Father stepped forward to greet her.

"Princess Saskia. Welcome to Lagranda," he said with a smile. He took her hand, and kissed it.

"Thank you. It is wonderful to be here," she said with a courtesy.

"I would like to introduce you to my family. This is my wife Queen Faye, and my two sons. Prince Dahiell, and Prince Brant."

We both give her a bow, and kiss her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Prince Dahiell," she said to me.

"The pleasure is all mine," I responded. "I do hope you enjoy your time here in Lagranda."

She smiled, and gave a small nod. She turned to Brant. "It's also nice to meet you as well Prince Brant."

He swallowed. "Please, just Brant. It's also nice to meet you as well," he said with a smile.

I looked over at my father. He was in a deep conversation with the King Yerson. Princess Saskia walked over to my mother and began a conversation with her. I leaned over to Brant. "How long is she staying?" I whispered.

He shrugged, and was then cut off by our father. "Please would everyone come inside? A late lunch has been prepared for everyone," he said.

We all turned, and walked into the palace. "Princess Saskia, may I escort you inside?" I asked her before we walked in.

"Of course," she said. She took my arm, and I led her inside.

***

After lunch Princess Saskia and I went on a walk to get better acquainted with each other. The gardens were dead, but a new beauty took its place in the snow. Princess Saskia's cloak was back on, and pulled tight to keep out the cold.

"It's beautiful if it wasn't for the cold so I could enjoy it a bit more," she said.

I nodded. "It is lovely. It does get boring from time to time, but beautiful nonetheless," I said.

It was her turn to nod. "We get a lot of snow in Ambri during the winter months. I've grown used to it seeing it so much. To me it's always beautiful to see what the snow can do to the trees, and land."

A silence came upon us. There wasn't much to talk about anyways. We let the soft crunch of the snow beneath our feet fill the silence between us. Out of nowhere snow began to fall. I watched as a small smile began to form on her lips.

"You like it when it snows?" I questioned.

She looked at me. "I do. There is always a sense of magic that goes through me when I watch the snow fall," she said.

I took in her features as she looked at me, and I could tell that she was doing the same. Her dark brown eyes were a stark contrast from her ash blonde hair. She was shorter than me, but not by much. She was truly beautiful.

Suddenly one of father's advisor burst open the door to the gardens. He ran up to me. Urgency was played all over his face. Remembering his place he quickly bowed. "Prince Dahiell, your father requests your presence immediately," he said.

I gave him a nod and turned to Saskia. "Excuse me please Princess Saskia. I will see you later at dinner tonight," I said. I kissed her hand, and left with the advisor.

He escorted me through the palace, and up to father's study. I knocked, then opened the door. Father was sitting at his desk, and Brant was standing off to one side. I stepped in, and closed the door behind me. There was something about the way father was looking meant what he was about to say should not be heard by prying ears.

"Plans have changed Dahiell," he started. "Tomorrow morning I am sending you and Brant down to train more with the soldiers. I have received alarming news, and I have decided that this is the best option for this."

I swallowed. "What happened?" I asked.

"King Tobias has been missing for quite some time. Most likely tending to his ill wife. I also have word that his two sons have fled the palace. I am planning to attack him, before he can attack us."

I looked into my father's eyes. "And you're planning to send us in with your soldiers."

"They need a leader to trust. Who better than one of my two sons. You both will train, and whoever I deem best will lead the troops, unless something comes up, and you must be pulled out. I will not risk my two heirs."

I studied his face. He wasn't telling me something. He was hiding something from me. "If that's your plan then shouldn't we go right now and begin? Extra time to work, and more time to gain the loyalty of the soldiers."

He took this into consideration. I glanced over at Brant. He was shooting me a look. "I do believe that is a good idea Dahiell. I will give you two until next bell to gather your things, and get down to the arena. Jacob will oversee your training. You two are dismissed."

We both gave a small bow, and began to leave the room. I let Brant pass me. Making sure he was gone I turned back to Father.

"You were the one who poisoned her weren't you? The Queen of Hutan?" I question.

He gave me a smile that sent shivers down my spine, and not in a good way. "I did not personally poison her, but yes. That thread could be led back to me if you can find the one who did it. I had no intentions of it actually happening, but it did, and it's working in my hand," he said.

"Why?"

"Because there comes a time when you must make sure that you win the war. She is the necessary piece to win the war."

"And the princess? Princess Isabella?"

"That was the one thing I did not do. Someone else took care of it before I even thought of doing it myself. I'm glad they did too."

"All for what?"

He scoffed. "Dahiell you just don't get it do you?"

He had lied right to my face. I wanted to be sick. I had to play his sick game of lies, and killing. My stomach twisted, and I forced myself to remain in control. I turned on my heal and walked as calmly as I could out of his office.