Her Protectors

8-Drystan

17 years ago...

The weeks that passed were some of the happiest for both the kingdom, and the king and queen. Little Lita was already an amazing child. Maria was a great mother. She never let Lita be out of her sight for very long.

There was still no sign of the man who came the night she was born. The king had a feeling about who he was, but he could get the courage to say his name. Maria was never even told of his arrival that night. The king thought it best not to tell her. She would be happier without that knowledge.

Lita sat in her crib and Maria trying to keep her eyes open. She no longer looked like a prestine queen. She looked like a mother. Her hair was not brushed, she had bags under her eyes, and she only was wearing her under dress.

The king on the other hand was being cold. Ever since his daughter was born he shut most people out. Maria thought it was just thr nerves about being a father. But that wasn't it.

"Any sign of him yet." The guard shook his head.

"Keep looking." The king demanded. The guard nodded and left the room.

"I won't stop until you are found Drystan." The king spoke into the dark.

***

Maria shook her head at Lita.

"Your father should be here you know. He can't do this to me, to you." Maria smiled softly at the babe in the crib. Her short black hair was wild and she gave her mother a goofy smile.

"Lisa come in here please." Maria called out. Lisa was Marias handmaiden, and most trusted friend. Lisa quickly came into the room and bowed to the queen.

"Yes my queen?"

"Watch Lita for me I need to go speak to my husband. Don't let anyone in here." Lisa nodded and sat next Litas crib. Maria breathed and put on a dess.

***

Finding out where her husband was, was easy. He was in the garden looking out to the river.

"You would think just having a daughter would intitle you to at least look at her." Maria announced herself. He barely glanced in her direction.

"I'm busy." He stated.

"With what? The kingdom is fine you have enough people to look after it for a couple of hours at least." The king shook his head. Maria stepped closer and turned his face to look at hers.

"Whats wrong Will?" He sighed. Maria is the only was allowed to say his name.

"The night you went into labor. I had gone looking for you. In our room where I thought you would be I instead found someone else. Someone who I thought we had gotten rid of a long time ago. He was there Maria. He's the one trying to kill her. Its all his plan. I've had half the guard looking for him. He disappeared like smoke after that night." Maria could see the tears in his eyes. She leaned into him.

"He won't get her. He was revoked of all his titles long ago. He has no claim to the throne." The king sighed and walked back.

"He can there are ways." Maria looked at him with confusion.

"What ways?" The king hesitated.

"Dark ways. Lita won't be normal not after him. He wants the throne and he will do anything in his power to get it. He won't hesitate to kill his sister to do so."