Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 31

It had stormed all evening in the mountain ranges of Draconia. The dark clouds remained hovering over the northern kingdom. The storm continued when Hanlok and Marcila Greypol arrived shortly after breakfast to be formally introduced to Otswana.

Marcila seemed a bit put out at the announcement of the elopement. When Otti took the liberty of explaining the dire situations and necessary precaution to be wed, Marcila embraced Otswana and gave her several praises for her courage and devotion to Loboria.

This stunned Otswana as well as caused her great relief to be absorbing the positive energy released from Marcila. In turn, Hanlok congratulated the newlywed couple and they spent the entire morning in their presence.

Klav and his father, Duke Hanlok, sat in the study next to the library as they discussed the mission in Loboria and reported all of what had occurred after Creselda's death. Otti sat with Princess Marcila in the parlor to give her a brief history of Otti's life.

The two women then planned for both a public wedding in Loboria as well as the winter ball. Marcila insisted they marry publicly to formally announce that Klav was the prophesied heir to break the curse. After their public wedding, the winter ball, which was a celebration of the first day of winter, would be held in honor of the marriage of Queen Otswana and Marcila's son, Klav. The ball was arranged to take place in the third week of December. Until then, Otti and Klav would return to Loboria castle to prepare for the wedding.

By the end of afternoon tea, the snow had ceased. Klav left to help his father saddle their dragon, Firebeam, in the dragon lair on the other side of the castle deep. Otti and the captain were to return to Loboria before another storm swept in.

Otti donned her favorite sword, hiding it underneath her white hooded cloak. Waiting for Klav's return from saddling the dragon, the young queen sat on the bed and watched as a chambermaid took her bags out of the castle to be given to a guard who would load it in the saddle pouch. Following the guard with her bags, Otti met Marcila near the castle entrance to bid farewell.

A sudden gush of wind swept through as the entrance door pushed open and a familiar redhead entered the main corridor.

"Oh, you're still here, Queen Otswana," Izadora said, not bothering to hide her sneer.

Otti gave her a curt smile. "Good afternoon, Izadora."

"Is it? Since my brother and Prince Greggor's death, I truly don't believe I shall have another good afternoon, morning or evening. If only the portals had remained hidden. None of these tragedies would have occurred," Izadora said, as tears fell from her eyes. "If you will excuse me, I must go comfort Sashia and the queen." She quickly departed, much to Otti's relief.

"The poor dear," Marcila Greypol said, watching as Izadora retreated. "She fancied Greggor. With both her brother and Greggor gone, she will remain in mourning for some time."

"She blames me for their deaths. Matteais told me as much," Otswana stated.

Marcila turned to Otti and was about to console the young queen, when a loud scream echoed from outside. Otti ran to the doors and threw them open to investigate the horrendous cry. The guards standing at the front gate were backing up, with their swords drawn. Others in the castle ran to the windows or met Otti and Marcila outside to see what was causing the commotion.

Otti looked about and saw no threat. Only a dreary fog and a fresh layer of snow. Otswana was about to return inside when she saw two dragons flying in the distance. They were fast approaching. Once they landed at the castle gates, Otswana recognized the riders as King Nathar and, Hanlok, the Duke of Draconia.

"Get inside the castle! Go!" King Nathar and the Duke were running towards the steps.

"Where is Klav?" Otti and Marcila asked simultaneously.