Iona hurried to the throne room with Eleanor at her heels. She tucked her own black hair behind her shoulders and smoothed it down.
"Come child, your father wants to see us." Her voice wavered but she hoped the little girl didn't notice.
The small red head skipped playfully down the corridor, carrying her favorite doll in her arms. She twirled a circle in her pretty lilac dress and grabbed Iona's hand. Her wild hair hung loosely around her, the sides pulled back with a golden comb.
"Why does daddy want to see us?" her bright blue grey eyes implored.
"It's time for our trip my girl, remember what we talked about? You and I are going on a journey together." Iona reminded her.
"Yes! A trip! Do I get to take my pony?" she was very excited.
"Yes my dear, you can take your pony." She stroked the child's hair and took her hand again.
The guards opened the heavy mohagany doors to the throne room. There were tables along the walls covered with maps and diagrams. Men stood around them talking in hushed tones, arguing, and studying.
King Domnall Cormack stood at the head of the largest table discussing strategy with his General.
Eleanor wiggled her hand out of Iona's and ran to him. The large imposing man patted her head and waved the General off. He swept the child off her feet and above his head, Eleanor squealed in delight. She was such a joyful girl, always laughing and smiling. It was a stark contrast to the war preparations going on around them, Iona couldn't help but smile. Eleanor was the only bright spot in the King's life.
The last several years had been hard on everyone in Rodan, but the Druid king had taken them especially hard. His reddish hair was lighter now, and his blue eyes always looked tired. The death of his wife giving birth to their only daughter had devastated him as much as it devastated Iona, her best friend. Iona noticed the king looked especially haggard these days. The magic that once flowed freely through him and made him so powerful had been crushed by the weight of his grief. The Druid magic was all that kept the tiny kingdom of Rodan from being overrun by invaders, without it they were an easy conquest.
Their neighbors to the south had been trying to reach a trade agreement with Rodan for almost two years without success. They needed port access but the King refused to allow it. Many of his advisors had encouraged him to make a deal or sign an up to date treaty. The first treaty he signed almost 15 years prior had been for the marriage of his firstborn daughter to a son of the House of Mollach. Their allegiance had been called into question when an assassination plot was uncovered, and as a result King Cormack declared all treaties void. Domnall was convinced beyond a doubt that spies from Onaendra had been behind it.
The King held his daughter close, kissing and nuzzling her innocent face. Iona let them have a private moment. Mollach's forces were closing in, they'd be here in a few days. It was the last window of opportunity to get Eleanor out of the city safely.
"Daddy, why aren't you coming with us?" Eleanor pouted.
"I have important things to do here child, when the time is right I will come for you and we can live here together as a family again." he stroked her arm gently, reassuring her.
Iona knew it broke his heart to tell her that. The chances of his survival were dismal at best, they'd be overrun. Onaendra's forces were strong, and three times the size of Rodan's. This was the last stand, Mollach had already taken the southern plains and the western border, all that was left were the Eastern forests and the mountain pass to Proteria, a city as big as Rodan. It was rumored the lord of Proteria had already reached a deal with Mollach, total surrender. The King was angry but thought it would be safer for Eleanor there, where there would be no fighting.
"Iona, can I speak with you privately?" Domnall motioned her to him and put his little girl down.
"Go play in the corridor my dear. And remember, I love you as big as the sky." He whispered and winked at her.
"I love you as big as the moon!" Eleanor whispered back to him before scampering off.
"Take care of her Iona, and maybe with luck she will grow up and have a happy life." His eyes darkened.
"I will do my best Your Highness." She assured him.
"You have been good to her, and to Anne and I. I know you miss her as much as I do." He took Iona's hand gently.
"I do my King. It has been a pleasure to help raise Eleanor in her stead."
"No one could have done a better job my dear." He looked upon Iona and found it difficult to remember she was only 25. She had filled big shoes after his wife's death, she was family to him.
