The Early Chronicles Book Four: The Queen and the General

Chapter 4

Goran crouched in wait inside the stable yard.  If Mekau was coming back to Chateau Kent, he would come across him.  He settled down in the hay and started whittling a stick to pass the time.  The yard was hazed with the dark blue of night drawing nearer and only a few night watchmen remained in the courtyard.  Goran's mind drifted to what Swanwhite had said.  It was obvious she wanted to believe the best, but she was still showing some caution at least.  He tried to pull his mind from the feeling of holding her soft hand and kissing it.  There was no need for him to have kissed her hand at that moment, but somehow he couldn't stop himself.  He was growing careless, he had to be careful.  There was no possibility of any union between them if Swanwhite was smart, so he refused to admit his feelings knowing that... But what exactly were his feelings toward her?  He remembered how she'd looked at the banquet for Laurel and Thasian.  Her golden hair seemed to reflect any light that touched it, and her sweet smile and sparkling eyes seemed to have radiance of their own.  He felt devotion to her as he should for any royalty he worked for, but it felt like more than that.  He knew they trusted each other as friends, so did he only think of her as a good friend?  He argued with himself for several minutes, but deep down he knew exactly what his feelings were.  Though he didn't know it yet and would never admit it, he loved her dearly.  He would give up his life for her even if she were only a servant and not a queen.  But even if he felt this way, he would have to be content fighting at her side but watching as she grew into a wise and powerful queen and married someone equally as powerful.  He could not give her what she deserved or what was best for the kingdom.  These thoughts tortured him nearly every day and began to feel like a heavy weight on his shoulders and heart.  But he was a warrior, and he would shake off these feelings.

The sound of horse hooves approaching made him sit up with alert.  The hooves stopped and he heard light voices as the rider must be talking with the night watchmen.  When the hooves resumed, Goran stood up and pressed himself against the stone wall to wait.  The horse and rider came into view, and even under the dark velvet cloak Goran could tell it was Mekau.  Mekau didn't see Goran in the darkness and returned his horse to its stall.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary except that he was out so late, but Goran would not miss this chance.

"You're riding terribly late at night."  Goran addressed him and stepped more into the lighting.  Mekau jumped slightly and moved his hand to where Goran guessed a dagger was hidden.  Instantly, Mekau slackened when he saw Goran.

"General Goran, you frightened me."  He let out some breathy chuckles.  Goran crossed his arms and kept his shoulders erect in hopes to appear taller.  

"Apologies, but you haven't answered my question."

"I needed some fresh air."  Mekau lowered the hood of his cloak and his fiend innocent smile made Goran's stomach roil. 

"I find that hard to believe."

"Well then you may believe what you like.  I owe you no explanation."

"Actually you do."  Goran felt his voice beginning to growl and he stood very close to Mekau.  "You're on the queen's turf and it is my job to make sure everything on it is in order."

Mekau's expression seemed to change to something more sincere as well as sinister.  "I've given you a reason.  If you aren't satisfied, why don't you alert the queen that you suspect me of doing evil but you don't know what it is?"

Goran's teeth clenched.  Mekau had a point.  He had no evidence, he didn't even have an accusation yet.  He wanted to slam his fist into Mekau's head, but instead he gripped his collar.  "Until I do, you'd best be sure to keep your distance from her."