A Ward's Tale

Chapter 1

The sun is warm on my skin as I lay here on a grassy hill near my home. The sounds of the world around me fade away as I let myself be engulfed in the warm embrace of the Earth's brightest star. I know they'll be coming for me soon. They always find me, no matter where I go.

For now though, I lay here peacefully. I forget about all the diplomatic duties I will have to get back to. I forget about my arranged engagement. I forget all my worries and just relax.

I know when they find me they'll scold me and wrap me in a robe. Tell me I'm not a child anymore. Tell me I need to show more respect to the people at court and not keep them waiting, especially not the King. Tell me that even though I am only a ward of the King, I still have responsibilities and am needed at the court.

The castle rises into the sky to my right. It is a mighty and impressive work of art. The watch towers on the wall that encloses the castle rise hundreds of feet into the air and one can see for miles from the top. The walls are made from stone brought in from around the kingdom. Those walls are the strongest structure I've ever known.

I close my eyes and block out the magnificent structure. My life is spent roaming the halls now, putting on airs of royalty although I am not of royal blood. Since my father's death, I have become a part of the royal family. I am restricted to these walls.

Although my eyes are closed I feel the change in temperature as a cloud passes over, blocking the warmth of the sun. A cool breeze from the north blows by and I sigh. The storm that has been raging the north will soon be upon us.

"There you are Lady Clarissa." A familiar happy voice says bringing me back to reality. I open my eyes to see the familiar face of a close friend. If you can call one of the King's servants a friend in my standing.

I don't move but I do look up at the towering figure of Mitchel Bloomburg. His dark hair hangs by his ears and he's trimmed his beard again, which I think suits him well. He wears his usual servant attire of brown slacks and a white shirt, along with his ever bright smile.

"It's time to get back to the castle, Malady." Mitchel says gently. He knows that I don't much care for all the politics of the court, but he also knows that the King values my opinion even though I am only a ward. I am a special ward, my father was a great friend to the King and when he passed the King took me in as one of his own. My mother had died in childbirth. It was twelve years ago when I came to live in the castle, I was six years old. Before then I had visited often with my father. We attended many gatherings and parties. Other than those, we had lived a simple life outside the castle walls.

"I guess you are right, Mickey." I sigh and sit up. He gives me a hand and helps me stand and brush off the dirt and grass. "Is there time for me to change?"

Mickey shakes his head no as he drapes a robe around me, then we are off to the King's Conference Room. I'm announced before walking in, leaving Mitchel outside. The giant wooden doors open into the conference room. A long wooden table, a century old, is the main feature and sits in the middle of the room lined with complementary wooden chairs. King Charles sits at the high back chair at the other end of the table. His golden crown resting on his gray head sparkles in the sunlight shining through the tall glass windows high in the surrounding walls.

"Ah, Clarissa, how good for you to join us." King Charles says waving for me to come sit. There is no anger in his words, only slight annoyance and weariness. He's been king for twenty years and the first ten years were spent ending a war and returning peace to the lands. Those ten years aged him so now at forty-five, King Charles looks sixty. His gray hair has thinned, although his beard is still full. His deep blue eyes are full of love and joy.