Fallen Kingdom ✔️

Lost in Thought

We camped in a cave once again. This time in an isolated place that looked like it had never been inhabited. Sitting down inside the tent was wonderful. The air was becoming colder and colder with each day. The cool winter air was starting to show the switching of seasons. If I was correct, it was sometime in mid Autumn. We would need the fur we collected every time we hunted. The food we gather will be much more important as well. Enchanted bags to cool the food makes the meat and other edibles last longer. Rathelia made sure we each had one so we could collect food and store it inside for the colder weeks to come.

My brothers and Prince George worked together to make a fire, one that Rathelia had created so there would be no smoke to let thieves or hungry animals know where we are. Striker and Gwenyth were making clothes out of the furs we had. I was just sitting in the tent with a blanket over me. A fur blanket that I had made myself a few years back when that wolf pack tried to attack the horses in Servania. Not a single horse died and I got a winter blanket out of it. Two really, since I have one to Timour to keep him warm.

Bowen walked into the tent with two cups. "Rolande and I made soup. I thought you might like some."

"Thank you, Bowen."

"What are you doing hiding in here?"

"I've been really cold lately and I just can't shrug it off. Most animals should be going into hibernation right about now anyway, so that's good."

He nodded. "I understand. My sister has that too. From my understanding, all women have it. My sister told me that all women should be treated like queens during those periods. I'll take care of you, Vic. Anything you need, I will get it for you."

I smiled at him. "The bleeding isn't so much as bad as the pains and being cold. Gwen made me these under garments that are absorbent with her silk. I haven't had a problem with them yet. All I have to do is burn them when I'm done. Isn't that interesting?"

"Very. I'm sorry that you're going through that in such a time."

I laughed again. "Better now than during a fight with Irseval. I really do appreciate you bringing me something to eat. It hurts to even move."

"It's nearly night. Gwenyth said she would let you sleep through the night. I can get up every few hours to keep her company."

"You would really do that for me?"

"Yeah. You're my closest friend now. I'd do nearly anything for you."

"Nearly?"

This time he laughed. "I won't die for you. I'd only live for you. Unless it was either me or you dying, then I would choose myself over you."

"I'd live for you too, unless of course it is that choice, then I would choose myself as you are much more important than I."

He moved to sit beside me. "You know, your brothers are different now that they are cleansed of Irseval. I see why you were so worried. Rolande was telling me about what you would normally do in a day when you were Princess Victoria. I was shocked that you did so much. I wish that I could be like that with my people, but my parents would murder me for helping any of those peasants. Or that would be their words. I think working would be fun."

"It can be if you make it fun."

I hunched over, feeling like someone had stabbed me in my lower stomach. Bowen launched himself at me. "What's wrong? You look like my nurse when she gave birth to her son. Are you..."

"No, I'm not. There's no possible way. There was never a time for me to gain feelings for someone. It was work, train and sneak around. Even now, there wouldn't be a time for me to rest."

He laughed. "You're resting right now."

"That's different. I meant more settle down then resting to heal."

"What about after? Are you going to settle down then?"

"I'll have to. With my brothers as king, general and communications, my job will be agriculture. I'll work for our food and metals. I'll be with the wives caring for children and most likely have to have children of my own. Since I am at the proper age, Rolande and I will have the most luck with having children to rule the kingdom after Svenon. With Rolande marrying Princess Lolana, I'll probably be marrying of royal blood like Striker or someone from our kingdom."

He looked disappointed. I understood that. I didn't want to have to be like a Princess. I wanted to see Bowen every day. I want to just be able to see him when I want to. If I could, I would spend every day with him after this. He has become my best friend. The one person I know I can count on. I was even still having trouble trusting my own brothers. I've grown to know Bowen as a person, not just a child of the Servania royal family. He was a kind being who wants to right wrongs. I couldn't agree with him more about what's right and what's wrong. We are so alike and so different at the same time. It was nice having someone who understands the Princess part of me as well as the part of me that just wants to leave.

Bowen put his arm around me. I jumped feeling his warm skin against my cold skin. He forced my head against his shoulder. I wasn't sure what he was doing, but it was very comforting. Almost something a mother would do with her child to calm them down. It reminded me of when I would get sick as a child and my mother would hold me close to her.

"Is there something wrong, Vic?"

"No. There is absolutely nothing bothering me at this moment.  I'm quite happy the way things have turned out."

"You are? Even with the near deaths, dangerous situations and fear?"

I smiled at him. "Yes. This is the most fun I have ever had. I have even made friends. This experience has been incredible and it's only getting better. When this is over and the excitement dies down, I'm not sure what I will do. When I'm not working on agriculture, maybe I can visit you?"

"You'll always be welcome. I could even show you around the castle before we start making some major changes. I think you've convinced George that your way of living is the best way of living."

I chuckled. "If I'm being honest, I have talked to him once or twice since he joined this quest. What he has said has concerned me."

"What about?"

"Our childhoods into adulthood. About these arranged marriages."

"He has an opinion of those things?"

"Yes, and it's very clear what he wishes. I wish the same thing, but it doesn't seem possible. Not that I would agree with his exact wishes. There's a lot happening and there will for a while. After Irseval is dead, there is a huge mess to be cleaned up. My brothers and I have a lot of work to do to get Wyverna back to where it was. We need to pave the streets, destroy the rubble, fix the fields, retrain the people of the town. Train the new warriors to fight the Wyervna way."

"Your people are lucky to have you."

I smiled kindly at him. "Your people are lucky to have you too. Someone who is willing to do what is right at any cost, that's the kind of king they need. I know you'll make Servania your own."

"You'll have to come visit once it's finished then."

"You'll have to visit me as well. You won't escape me that easily, Bowen."

"You're not escaping me either, Vic. Now get some rest. I'll take care of the others."

I smiled as I laid down to sleep. Bowen was going to be a great leader for his kingdom as long as he stays true to himself. The day he becomes King will be the day I will tell the children of Wyverna about the brave prince who saved my life, in more ways then one. And I had to admit, I couldn't wait for that day to come.