Leni brushed the large bay horse and hummed to herself. The dirt and loose hair drifted in the breeze, unfortunately right into her face. She blew her breath out in a sigh and wiped her brow with the dingy apron that hung around her slender waist. Some of the dirt stuck to her forehead but she didn't care. She tucked a stray strand of her red hair back into the fabric headband that contained the rest of her wavy locks. She saddled the horse and rode out to the field behind the livery. Grinley knew she had a way of calming the horses, which is why he had asked her to work the new one while he was out picking up a load of hay.
The beast was smart, that was for sure. He tried to buck a few times, just to test her, but she grinned and stayed put in the saddle. She liked his spunk, and hoped the people that rented him would appreciate it also. She tried him over the low stone wall that separated the livery yard from the farm next door, her mount sailed over with ease. She decided it was time to test his speed so she turned him toward the low rolling slopes at the base of the mountain and encouraged him forward. Her heart leapt as his powerful shoulders lifted under her and his haunches bunched up. When she breathed out he released his power, she was giddy as he took off. He soon settled into a rhythmic gallop and her heart was elated, the cool mountain air whipped her face and tears stung her eyes from the chill but she loved every second on his back. She slowed him as they neared the forest and looked behind her, the city was now a tiny dot on the edge of a sparkling blue harbor filled with ships. The shadow of the bright white castle fell across the shops and houses. The beast whinnied loudly and pawed the ground. She was sure he would be even faster going home but she wasn't quite ready. She walked him through the cold mountain spring that flowed out of the pass and he didn't seem to care. He sipped a refreshing drink and she surveyed the area. The pass would close up for the winter soon, she knew. She heard something faint in the distance, an echo perhaps?
Leni remembered the first time she had set eyes on Rodan since they had left when she was a very small child. She was 12 years old when they returned. She clung to Iny's hand as the snow started to fall silently. It had been a tough march all the way from Proteria where she lived during her childhood. She hadn't spoken one word the entire journey, she had been afraid to come back. Her father died here when she was 4, the memories still haunted her. She was traumatized after seeing him, a rich and highly regarded merchant, killed in front of her. How her beloved nanny Iona had spirited her away was a hazy memory she didn't fully understand. She only remembered the determination and grit in her father's voice when he held her for the last time. He told her he loved her and to be a good girl and mind Iny. After that she remembered little. Iona had pulled her away from his lifeless body, she remembered vividly the dark blood pooling on the stone floor. She shook her head as if she could knock the memory out of her mind.
She decided it was time to get back, she had a long list of chores to complete before her work day was over but again the echo stirred within the mountain pass. She was half curious and half afraid of what was causing the vague sounds. She shrugged it off and patted the horse under his unruly black mane, where it was nice and fluffy. It warmed her hands and she took up the reins after a moment, sighed heavily and then let the large gelding run for home. She wore a girlish grin the whole ride back.
Rayn Mollach was tired; they'd been riding for 4 days and were finally nearing Rodan. It would be his last trip before winter closed the pass this year. The easy strides of his horse were lulling him to sleep; he was bored with the grey mountain and ready to be out of the chilled air. He was looking forward to getting back home from Proteria, with one notable exception. It was his duty as the Prince, he'd been informed, to come home for winter court. He couldn't get out of entertaining the ladies of the court, a perpetual bore. They were dull; concerned only with money and who's breeding was better. He detested his father for suggesting it was time to settle down. Rayn was raised a warrior, his relationship with the King was rocky at the best of times. They never saw eye to eye on anything, when Rayn was a young boy he'd confided in his mother. Losing her was difficult; he had become withdrawn and sullen. The mood lasted for years, well into his adulthood. His perceived brooding drew women to him; they couldn't wait to "fix" him. He had few friends and many lovers but none that he cared to settle down with. He spent all his time learning to fight and it had served him well. He'd risen through the ranks quickly, and now at 34 he was the youngest General in his father's army.
The 19 years of relative peace had been good for the empire of Onaendra but Rayn preferred the travel and the conquests. He grinned to himself remembering the last dark haired beauty he'd bedded. His friend and royal guard Kieran interrupted his thoughts,
"We should be in Rodan by nightfall", he reported.
"Good. I'm ready for a hot meal and a soft bed."
"Aren't we all," Kieran grinned.
**** Leni pushed open the rough door of her small home. Lukas shrieked with delight at her arrival. He toddled toward her eagerly, ready to greet his mama. He had only been walking for a couple of months now but he was getting more confident by the day. She sighed, wishing his father could see him now. Lukas resembled him so much. She took him in her arms and kissed his ruddy cheek.
"How is my little man?" she asked him, as he wriggled away from her, ready to be on the move again.
"He was tearing everything apart today," Iny answered from by the fireplace. She stirred the pot on the hook and then swung it back over the roaring flames.
"Dinner is almost ready dear."
Leni sank into her favorite chair, it had been Colin's favorite chair too. Sometimes she swore the blanket on the back still smelled of him even though it wasn't possible.
"Thank you for cooking Iny, I hope Lukas wasn't too much trouble today."
"Nonesense," she responded quickly, "he's an angel. He slept long enough for me to get my sewing done." She smiled broadly, her dark eyes glittering in the firelight.
Colin's oversized beast of a dog, Wren, put his head in Leni's lap looking for attention. She mussed his sleek grey fur and then shooed him away. Lukas brought one of his small wooden toys to her and she pulled him into her lap. She spun the small wheels on the horse as Lukas watched her hands. Wren settled down on top of her feet. She smiled, loving being surrounded by reminders of her late husband. He'd died before Lukas was born. She missed him terribly and it had been almost 18 months. He'd been so excited about becoming a father, carving several sturdy wooden toys for the baby. Then, one night in the early summer, raiders from the plains swept through Rodan. She felt the familiar pang of longing and loneliness in her heart and sighed.
"How was today?" Iny bustled about the house, readying the table for dinner.
"Just fine, the new horse is working out well. I think he's a keeper."
"Good. Come and eat, dinner is ready."
Leni went through the familiar motions of family life before settling into bed with Lukas. They all slept on straw pallets covered with furs and blankets. Colin had provided for them well; he was a talented woodworker, well respected, and loved by everyone who knew him. Her life had never been easy; she started working to support her family when she was 10 picking fruit in the orchards. Most of her friends got married when they were 16 but she hadn't wanted anything to do with men. That is, until she had seen Colin farming in the fields when she was 20. She was taken in by his blue eyes and experience, he kissed her behind a barn on a mid summer's eve and she fell in love with him instantly. He was 5 years her senior and they never argued over anything. He loved her wild independent streak and let her do what she wanted. He took her hunting with him, taught her how to survive in the wilderness, and how to make love. She'd never been with anyone before she met him or since he'd been gone. He was her everything; after he died the only thing that kept her going was knowing she was carrying his child. Lukas was the only piece of Colin she had left. Leni hugged her sleepy boy close and breathed in his baby smell. "He won't be little for long," she sighed sadly.
Rayn and his men made it to the castle just as the sun dipped below the horizon. He had missed the huge white stone walls he called home. He received a warm welcome from everyone as they'd entered the inner city gates but all he cared about was avoiding his father until morning. However, as soon as he'd made it to his quarters his father summoned him to the throne room.
Rayn pushed the heavy doors open, letting his crimson mantle billow out behind him. He truly was a force to be reckoned with. He was tall, even among Rodanian men who were taller than average for this part of the world, his face was shadowed with scruff from his journey, his dark hair was wavy and neatly kept, and he had an unmistakable commanding presence. His dark eyes rose to meet his father's.
"How was your journey my son?" King Mollach looked up from his papers, his blue eyes twinkling in the low light.
"Uneventful."
"Were your negotiations successful?" He father raised one graying eyebrow.
"Yes, I think so. We'll be allowed to station troops indefinitely but they still don't trust us." He said gruffly.
"They will after we dispatch those raiders from the plains permanently."
"They've been a thorn in our side for too long now." He agreed.
"I won't have any usurpers taking my throne, and defnitely not some barbaric raiders. The time has come for you to legitimize your claim to the throne Rayn. Have you given any more thought to my offer?"
